(3rd UPDATE) Vic Sotto says ‘walang personalan’ as he files a complaint against filmmaker Darryl Yap over ‘The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma’ movie teaser
MANILA, Philippines – Vic Sotto filed a complaint against filmmaker Darryl Yap on Thursday, January 9, over a teaser for the upcoming movie, The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.
Sotto filed the complaint before the Office of the Prosecutor in Muntinlupa City because his name was explicitly mentioned in the short clip.
Nineteen counts of violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2022, were filed. The complaint includes a prayer of P35 million moral and exemplary damages.
The video, which was posted on January 1 on VinCentiments’ Facebook page, features the character of Charito Solis asking Pepsi Paloma to confirm if it was true that Vic Sotto raped her, to which she said yes.
“A lot of people have been asking me anong reaction mo, ito [filing a complaint] na po yun. ‘Eto na po ‘yung reaction ko,” Sotto told the media after filing the complaint.
“Sabi ko nga walang personalan ito. I just trust in our justice system. Ako’y laban sa irresponsableng tao, lalo na pagdating sa social media.”
(A lot of people have been asking me what’s my reaction, this is it — filing a complaint. This is my reaction. As I said, this is nothing personal. I just trust in our justice system. I’m against irresponsible people, especially on social media.)
After Sotto filed the case against Yap, the 38-year-old filmmaker took to his Facebook page to express that anyone is free to file a case, because “the truth is the only defense against all questions.”
“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,” he wrote.
(Anyone is free to file a case, no one has a monopoly over justice, especially the truth. Anyone is free to file a complaint, so the truth can become clearer. Because in the end, the truth is the only defense against all questions.)
Writ of habeas data
According to an ABS-CBN News report, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205 later issued a writ of habeas data ordering Yap to stop posting the film’s teasers and promotional materials. He has also been barred from releasing the film.
An individual may petition for a writ of habeas data if their “right to privacy in life, liberty or security is violated or threatened by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity engaged in the gathering, collecting or storing of data or information.”
Yap has been given five days to submit a verified return of the writ.
In 1982, Paloma accused comedians Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Richie D’Horsie of rape, but later dropped the charges. Three years later, Paloma was found dead in an alleged suicide by hanging. She was 18.
Under one of Yap’s Facebook posts from January 6, a commenter asked him if he consulted the accused trio behind the issue before he began writing the script.
“I did not. Sorry,” Yap replied.
The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma will revisit the late actress’ rape case and her subsequent death in 1985.
Perspectives
Yap first announced that he would be working on The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma in late December. He revealed the full cast days later, with former child actress Rhed Bustamante taking the lead role of Pepsi Paloma. Mon Confiado will be playing Dr. Rey dela Cruz, Pepsi’s talent manager; Gina Alajar as late actress Charito Solis; Shamaine Buencamino as Pepsi’s mother, Lydia Duena Whitley; Andres Balano Jr. as comedian Richie D’Horsie; and Rosanna Roces as former actress Divina Valencia.
On January 7, Yap revealed he was in contact with Paloma’s mother and brother, whose perspectives will be featured in the film.
“Sila naman ang magsasalita, sila naman ang magkukwento. PAMILYA. HIGIT SA LAHAT,” Yap said, referring to Paloma’s brother, Zaldy, and their mother, Lydia.
(They will be the ones to speak this time, they will be the ones to tell the story. Family. Above all.)
An exact premiere date for The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma has yet to be announced.
Yap is the director behind the controversial Marcos-centered Maid in Malacañang film that premiered in July 2022, a few months after Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed the country’s top post. – Rappler.com
