Political analyst Richard Heydarian — “author of books no one reads”, as described by The Daily Tribune — is now the subject of a petition for indirect contempt filed before the Supreme Court. The petition was filed on July 30, 2025, by lawyers Mark Kristopher Tolentino and Rolex Suplico.
In their official statement, Tolentino and Suplico confirmed the filing:
“Today, July 30, 2025, we will formally file before the Honorable Supreme Court a Petition for Indirect Contempt against Representative Percy Cendaña of Akbayan Party-list and Professor Richard Heydarian.”
The petition is being pursued in response to Heydarian’s “public, malicious, and contemptuous statements that undermine the Supreme Court — calling it the ‘Supreme Coddler’ of Vice President Sara Duterte and questioning the integrity of the Justices by labeling them as political appointees beholden to former President Duterte.”
In his INQUIRER.net article titled “Philippine ‘democrazy’: A constitutional crisis?”, Heydarian further analyzed the decision and the public reaction to it. He noted that the ruling “was no surprise” and had already drawn criticism from “legal luminaries from across the political spectrum.”
Heydarian acknowledged that most of the justices were appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte, yet failed to sufficiently argue against the fact that the Supreme Court voted unanimously (non-PRRD appointees included) in Vice President Sara Duterte’s favor.
He added that his views were based on extensive discussions with senior officials from all three branches of government.
Tolentino and Suplico argue that Heydarian’s statements undermine public trust in the judiciary by suggesting justices are influenced by their political appointments.
The lawyers emphasized the need to protect the judiciary:
“As lawyers and officers of the court, we are bound by our solemn oath to defend the integrity of the Judiciary and ensure that public discourse does not descend into attacks that diminish public trust in our legal institutions. Freedom of expression is not a license to defame, especially the highest court of the land.”
