Filmmaker Darryl Yap took to social media to respond after actor-TV host Vic Sotto filed multiple counts of cyber libel against him.
The case stems from the trailer of Yap’s upcoming film “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma”, which mentioned Sotto’s name in connection to a decades-old rape allegation involving the late actress Pepsi Paloma.
The scene in question showed Pepsi (portrayed by former child star Rhed Bustamante) responding affirmatively when asked if she was raped by Sotto. This prompted the latter to file 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on Thursday morning.
In a Facebook post, Darryl reacted to the complaint, “Kalayaan ng kahit sino ang magsampa ng reklamo, walang may monopolyo sa katarungan, lalo na sa katotohanan. Malaya ang sinuman na magsampa ng reklamo, para mas maging malinaw ang totoo. Dahil sa huli, katotohanan lang ang depensa sa lahat ng katanungan.”
“Nagsinungaling ba ang teaser? Ang sagot ay wala sa litrato… ito ay nasa maraming lathalain, ito ay nasa mga naburang bidyo, ito ay nasa mga lumang dyaryo,” the content creator defended his film. “Alam nang mga nakakaalam noon, at alam na ng mga nagtatanong ngayon.”
Yap concluded his post with a provocative statement, addressing Paloma in her birth name: “Delia, Pepsi—Babalik tayo sa Korte.”
In response to this, Sotto’s legal counsel, Atty. Buko dela Cruz, addressed Darryl’s post in an interview with the press, stating that the law provides no protection for libel, even under the guise of creative freedom.
“We are the products of the choices we make. Walang proteksyong ibinibigay ang batas sa libel. So hindi mo pwedeng gamitin ang creative license bilang depensa sa libel,” said Atty. dela Cruz.
He further announced that the court had granted their Writ of Habeas Data request, which effectively orders Yap to cease all online promotions related to the film while the case is ongoing.
“In the meantime po, the writ was issued, so ibig sabihin po ‘yung hinihiling namin sa writ, granted. Ititigil po muna lahat nung mga postings etc., in the meantime pinapasagot siya [Yap] dun sa aming reklamo,” he added.
With the Writ of Habeas Data granted, Yap is expected to respond to the complaints filed by Sotto in court.
