Veteran actor and TV host Vic Sotto and controversial filmmaker Darryl Yap appeared in court on Friday, January 17, marking the first hearing in Sotto’s legal case against Yap regarding the teaser of his upcoming film, ‘The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma’.
The case revolves around a petition for a writ of habeas data filed by Sotto at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205. The petition seeks to remove the teaser video and other promotional materials for the film, which Sotto claims improperly mentioned his name and used “personal and sensitive information.”
The teaser, which went viral, included Sotto’s name in the context of the late actress Pepsi Paloma and the alleged rape case that has long been a controversial topic in Philippine showbiz. The inclusion sparked public uproar and led Sotto to address the matter through legal channels.
Sotto, accompanied by his wife Pauleen Luna, personally attended the hearing. Yap also appeared in court but refrained from giving any substantial statements due to a gag order issued by the judge. Both camps left the proceedings without commenting on the case’s specifics.
Sotto maintained his silence as he exited the courtroom, adhering to the court’s directive. Yap, on the other hand, briefly shared his thoughts with the media, saying: “Well, I’m okay. I’m still finishing the movie.”
The teaser for ‘The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma’ reignited discussions surrounding the decades-old case of Pepsi Paloma, a young actress whose death and allegations of sexual assault remain a sensitive and unresolved issue. The mention of Sotto’s name in the teaser led to significant backlash online, with many questioning the ethics of including real-life personalities in such a controversial narrative.
Sotto has consistently denied involvement in the case and expressed his intent to clear his name, emphasizing that the film’s promotional materials unfairly target him.
