Veteran actor-TV host Vic Sotto has filed multiple counts of cyber libel against director Darryl Yap over the trailer of his upcoming film “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.”
Sotto, accompanied by his wife Pauline Luna, arrived at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on Thursday morning, filing 19 counts of cyberlibel against Yap and his movie which is set to delve into the controversial life and untimely death of Pepsi.
“Labing siyam na beses po nagpahayag o nagpost ng mapanirang imputation yung respondent kaya 19 counts,” said Sotto’s legal counsel.
“Marami po ang nagtatanong kung ano ang reaction ko since lumabas itong issue na ito. Ako’y nanahimik, wala naman akong sinasagot, sa mga taong nagtatanong, sa aking mga kaibigan, pamilya, a lot of people have been asking me, ‘Ano reaction mo?’ Ito na po yun. Ito na po reaction ko,” said Sotto in a separate interview, where he explained his decision to file a case.
“Sabi ko nga walang personalan ito, I just trust in our justice system. Ako’y laban sa mga iresponsableng tao lalo na social media.”
The case was filed in response to Sotto’s name being mentioned in a confrontation scene in Yap’s upcoming film, wherein the character of Pepsi Paloma was asked if she was raped by Sotto, to which she replied, “Yes.”
Yap, on the other hand, appeared unfazed by the legal move as he shared the news report about the filing on his social media account.
“PEPSI GOES BACK TO COURT”, the content creator captioned the photos of Vic’s filing.
As of writing, Yap has not issued a formal statement but has since doubled down on promoting his film.
The rape allegations involving Sotto, along with comedians Joey de Leon and Richie D’Horsie, stemmed from the early 1980s, when Paloma accused the three of sexual assault. The case was widely publicized but never made it to court.
In January 2024, Paloma’s former friend, Coca Nicolas, claimed the rape allegations were fabricated. Speaking to journalist Julius Babao, Nicolas alleged that the complaints were orchestrated by their then-manager, Rey dela Cruz, as a publicity stunt to boost Pepsi’s career.
