MANILA — Filmmaker Darryl Yap is facing two counts of cyberlibel following the release of a teaser for his controversial biographical film about the late actress Pepsi Paloma. The charges have been filed with the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.

A formal complaint dated March 17, issued by the Office of the City Prosecutor, accuses Yap of libel under Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, in violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act (Republic Act 10175) of 2012.

Defamation Allegations

The charges stem from a teaser for Yap’s upcoming film, The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma, released on January 1. In the clip, actress Gina Alajar, portraying Charito Solis, asks the lead character, who plays Pepsi Paloma, whether she was raped by actor-host Vic Sotto. The character responds, “yes.”

The city prosecutor argued that this scene defames Sotto by ascribing to him a criminal act, stating:

“Thus, attributing or ascribing to the latter the commission of the crime against deceased actress Pepsi Paloma, or that said complainant was a rapist, thereby exposing the latter to public contempt, hatred, dishonor or ridicule or causing the latter’s reputation to be tarnished, to the damage and prejudice of said Marvic ‘Vic’ Sotto y Castelo.”

The recommended bail for each count has been set at PHP 10,000.

Sotto’s Response

The veteran actor and television host had already filed 19 separate cyberlibel complaints against Yap in January. Sotto, 69, said he initially remained silent about the film but later decided to pursue legal action.

“A lot of people have been asking me, ‘Ano reaction mo?’ Ito na po yun. Ito na po yung reaction ko,” Sotto stated in an interview. “Sabi ko nga eh, ito’y walang personalan ito, I just trust in our justice system. Ako’y laban sa mga iresponsableng tao lalo na pagdating sa social media.”

Sotto said no one from the film’s production team had consulted him before releasing the teaser.

“Walang kumonsulta, walang nagpaalam, walang consent.”

Legal and Financial Claims

The actor is seeking PHP 35 million in damages, including PHP 15 million in exemplary damages to deter similar offenses. He is also demanding PHP 20 million in moral damages, citing public ridicule caused by the film’s social media teasers.

Under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, cyberlibel follows the definition of libel in the Revised Penal Code but is committed via the internet. However, Section 6 of the law mandates that offenses under the Revised Penal Code, when committed online, incur a penalty one degree higher.

Sotto emphasized that he remained silent for some time but ultimately decided to take legal action.

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