Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Ponente: Feria, J.
DOCTRINE: The power to punish for contempt is inherent in all courts of
superior statue. In many instances the right of certain courts of tribunals to
punish for contempt is expressly bestowed by statue, but such statutory
authorization is unnecessary.
FACTS:
1. A contempt case was filed against Atty Vicente Sotto, author of the
Press Freedom Law (and also a senator) after he issued a written
statement in connection with the SC decision in the case of Angel
Parazo (where Parazo was imprisoned for 30 days after his refusal to
divulge his source in the news the he published), saying that the SC
erroneously interpreted the law and its members are incompetent, the
only remedy to put an end to such evil is to change the members of the
SC. The Supreme Court very of today is a far cry from the
impregnable bulwark of Justice of those memorable times of Cayetano
Arellano, Victorino Mapa, Manuel Araullo and other learned jurists who
were the honor and glory of the Philippine Judiciary.
2. Sotto was granted 10 day extension even if he filed his answer late.
Case was set for hearing then postponed but Sotto did not appear so
the case was submitted for decision.
3. According to Sotto, under section 13, Article VIII of the Consti (SC
powers), SC has no power to impose correctional penalties upon the
citizens, and that the SC can only impose fines and imprisonment by
virtue of a law, and has to be promulgated by Congress with the
approval of the Chief Executive."
4. He also alleges that his statement was his exercise of the freedom of
speech guaranteed by the Constitution, with no intention of offending
any of the majority of the honorable members of this high Tribunal,
who, in his opinion, erroneously decided the Parazo case; but he has
not attacked, or intended to attack the honesty or integrity of any one.'
ISSUES: WON Sotto should be held in contempt
RULING + RATIO: YES
Rules 64 of the rules promulgated by this court does not punish as
for contempt of court an act which was not punishable as such under the
law and the inherent powers of the court to punish for contempt. The power
to punish for contempt is inherent in all courts of superior statue. It is a
doctrine or principle uniformly accepted and applied by the courts of last
resort in the US, which is applicable in this jurisdiction.
The power of inflicting punishment upon persons guilty of contempt
of court may be regarded as an essential element of judicial authority. It is
possessed as a part of the judicial authority granted to courts created by