MANILA — Veteran TV host and actor Vic Sotto has filed a criminal case against controversial director Darryl Yap regarding the trailer for his upcoming movie about the late actress Pepsi Paloma.

Sotto, accompanied by his wife Pauleen Luna and their legal team, lodged a complaint for 19 counts of cyberlibel against Yap before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court. The complaint also includes a request for moral damages worth P20 million and exemplary damages amounting to P15 million.

The issue stems from the first teaser for the film titled “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma”, which was posted online on January 1. In the trailer, Sotto’s name was mentioned, prompting him to file the complaint.

“Walang personalan ito” – Sotto on Filing the Case Against Yap

Speaking to reporters after filing the complaint, Sotto shared his thoughts on the issue.

“Marami pong nagtatanong kung anong reaksyon ko noong lumabas itong isyu. Ako’y nanahimik. Wala naman akong sinasagot…. Ito na po yun. Ito na po yung reaksyon ko,” he said.

He emphasized, “Sabi ko nga eh, ito’y walang personalan. I just trust in the justice system. Ako’y laban sa mga iresponsableng tao lalo na pagdating sa social media.”

Sotto also clarified that he was never consulted about the film, nor did he give consent. He only learned about the project through his wife, Pauleen Luna.

“Wala. Walang kumonsulta, walang nagpaalam, walang consent,” Sotto added.

Despite the controversy surrounding the movie, Sotto refrained from commenting on speculation that it may be politically motivated, given that his son, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, is seeking reelection.

“I don’t want to comment on that. This is a non-political issue, for me ah. Ewan ko sa ibang tao,” he said.

“Kanya-kanya namang ano eh. Demokrasya tayo eh. Kanya-kanyang paniwala yan,” Sotto responded, expressing his belief in the democratic process, including the public’s reaction to the movie trailer.

“Basta ako naniniwala sa sistema ng ating hustisya,” he concluded.

Darryl Yap Defends the Controversial Movie

In response to Sotto’s complaint, director Darryl Yap defended the trailer of his film. On January 9, Yap took to Facebook to share his perspective on the matter.

“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,” Yap posted.

The controversial director further defended the film on Facebook by stating, “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. Alam nang mga nakakaalam noon, at alam na ng mga nagtatanong ngayon.”

Yap concluded his statement with, “Delia, Pepsi— Babalik tayo sa Korte; ang Pilipino sa sinehan,” referring to Pepsi Paloma’s real name, Delia Dueñas Smith.

The upcoming film “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” aims to revisit the tragic story of Paloma’s alleged rape and subsequent death in 1985. Yap first announced the project in October 2024.

The film’s cast includes Rhed Bustamante portraying Pepsi Paloma, Mon Confiado as her talent manager Dr. Rey Dela Cruz, Gina Alajar as the late actress Charito Solis, Shamaine Buencamino as Paloma’s mother Lydia Dueñas Whitley, and Andres Balano Jr. as Richie D’Horsie.

Despite his legal action against Yap, Sotto emphasized that he had no issue with the actors involved, acknowledging that they were “just doing their job.”

📷 Vic Sotto camp