Veteran actor and TV host Vic Sotto is locked in a legal battle with filmmaker Darryl Yap over the promotional materials for Yap’s upcoming movie, “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,” an upcoming Philippine biographical crime drama film written and directed by Yap.
It stars Rhed Bustamante, Mon Confiado, Gina Alajar, Andres Balano Jr. and Shamaine Buencamino. This is the first film directed by Darryl Yap not to be produced by Viva Films head Vic del Rosario.
The case has reignited a decades-old controversy surrounding the late actress Pepsi Paloma, and raised questions about freedom of expression and online libel.
Sotto accuses Yap of cyberlibel
Sotto filed a 19-count cyberlibel complaint against Yap on January 8th, alleging that the movie’s trailer and promotional materials link him to unproven rape accusations made by Paloma in the 1980s. The complaint seeks P35 million in moral and exemplary damages.
Prior to the lawsuit, Sotto filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus on January 7th. The court granted the petition, ordering Yap to remove any promotional materials that connect Sotto to the movie. The court also set a hearing date for both parties to present their arguments.
Sotto’s lawyer raises concerns about threats, privacy
Sotto’s lawyer, Enrique dela Cruz, argues that the promotional materials threaten Sotto and his family, particularly his wife and daughter, who have reportedly received online threats.
Dela Cruz emphasizes that the accusations against Sotto are baseless and that the 1982 case against him was dismissed.
He claims that Yap’s marketing strategy intentionally misleads the public by omitting this crucial detail.
Yap defends artistic expression and right to truth
In response to the lawsuit, Yap asserts his right to artistic expression and the pursuit of truth. He maintains that the film is based on a real case and that he has the right to bring it to light.
Yap also clarified that he did not consult with the accused parties before writing the script, but has since contacted the Smith family, Paloma’s relatives, to include their perspective in the movie.
(A quick Google search reveals that both Sotto and Yap have been directed to observe ‘strict confidentiality’ on their ongoing case until it is resolved.)
Film’s release in limbo as legal battle ensues
The court order temporarily prohibits the use of Sotto’s name or image in any promotional materials for the film. This throws a wrench into Yap’s marketing plans, originally slated for release in February 2025 under his production company, Vincentiments.
The Vic Sotto vs. Darryl Yap case presents a complex legal battle with far-reaching implications. It raises questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the protection of individuals from online harassment and defamation.
The outcome of the case will be closely watched by the Philippine entertainment industry and those concerned about online content and its potential consequences.
Dela Cruz further underlined that Paloma’s 1982 case had been dropped and that the rape accusations made against Sotto forty-two years prior were untrue. Sotto also claimed that Yap intentionally misled the public by leaving out the case’s dismissal from advertising materials.
The contentious claims made by Pepsi Paloma in the 1980s, in which the actress accused Sotto and his associates of abuse, are revisited in Yap’s movie. Discussions concerning the case were rekindled by the 17-second teaser for the film, which was published on January 1.
Anyone is free to file a complaint
Darryl Yap, a 38-year-old filmmaker, posted on his Facebook page that anyone has the right to pursue a complaint after Sotto filed one against him.
“Anyone has a monopoly on justice, especially when it comes to the truth,” he said. “Anyone is free to file a complaint. To bring the facts to light, anyone can file a complaint. Since the truth is ultimately the only defense against all inquiries.”
Yap further said that he did not confer with the accused people engaged in the matter prior to creating the film’s script in response to a comment on one of his Facebook posts from January 6.
In December, he made the project’s initial announcement. Yap also stated that on January 7, he has communicated with the Smith family, whose viewpoints will be included in the movie.
The film will be released in February 2025 by Vincentiments, Yap’s production firm. The court ruling, however, temporarily forbids the use of Sotto’s name or personal information in any promotional materials.
