A group of lawyers on Friday filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to cite Senate President Vicente Sotto III in indirect contempt over his remarks on the court’s nullification of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

“Viewing all his interviews as a whole, all told, Senator Sotto, in his public scorn towards this Honorable Court, has committed improper conduct within the meaning of the Rules of Court, and is therefore, liable for indirect contempt,” the petitioners said in their formal submission.

The petition cited interviews of Sotto on Jan. 30 when he said he would support charter change due to the court’s alleged “meddling of the constitution.”

“Senator Sotto is claiming that because the Supreme Court illegitimately exercised its power of judicial review and amended the constitution, this power may be stripped from it through a constitutional amendment,” the petitioners said.

“This not only belittles the Court, but also instills in the minds of the public that any unfavorable decision can be overcome by simply depriving the Court of the powers it currently has under the present constitution.”

The petitioners include lawyers Harold Respicio, Virgilio Garcia, Manuelito Luna, Ferdinand Topacio ang Mary Binag. (PNA)