TV host-actor-film producer Vic Sotto (a third of the comedic trio Tito, Vic & Joey) asked the court to stop a now viral film clip identifying him as Pepsi Paloma’s rapist, the controversial movie starlet who died at the height of her popularity in the mid-80s.
In a petition for a writ of habeas data brought before the Muntinlupa City Trial Court, Sotto claimed that the released trailer of the movie entitled “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” by director Darryl Yap was an unlawful act violating his rights. Sotto’s legal camp is seeking to have a critical part of trailer declared illegal.
The segment shows actress Gina Alajar asking Rhed Bustamante (who played the role of Pepsi Paloma) with the pointed question: “Pepsi sumagot ka! Ni-rape ka ba ni Vic Sotto?” (Pepsi, answer me! Were you raped by Vic Sotto?)
To which, the character of Pepsi Paloma shouted back: “Oo!” (Yes!).
Posted in different social media platforms, the movie trailer immediately attracted millions of views.
Sotto, who has been in show business for about 50 years, asked the court to compel Director Yap to “remove and take down all promotional materials, teaser video, and other content relative to the film, which depict Sotto’s personal information.”
The father of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto also asked that Yap be prohibited from further disseminating any materials relating to the film on all platforms.
Aside from the petition for a writ of habeas data, Sotto slapped Yap with 19 counts of cyber libel, also as a consequence of the movie that has yet to hit the silver screen.
Damage claims amounting to P35-million were also being demanded by Sotto from Yap.
“Due to the malicious and defamatory posts made by respondent, I have been subjected and continue to be subjected to public ridicule and contempt. The social humiliation has caused me to suffer mental anguish and serious anxiety due to my tarnished reputation and destroyed credibility,” part of Sotto’s complaint read.
When news broke out that Sotto was going to court, Yap appeared unperturbed.
“About Sir Vic Sotto, I’m not sure whether to offer an apology for his name being mentioned in the film. The truth, after all, is unapologetic,” Yap posted in his social media page.
“What I respect most is the truth in my heart,” the 38-year old director added.
Yap claims that he is a native of Olongapo City like Pepsi Paloma who was Delia Smith in real life. She starred in several movies as a teenager from 1981 to 1985. The budding actress shocked the movie industry when she was found dead from hanging on May 31, 1985. She was only 18 years old then.
“(Pepsi Paloma’s story) has haunted the public consciousness for decades. As a filmmaker who started out in social media, I don’t choose these stories; they choose me,” Yap also wrote. “Social media keeps resurrecting it, raw and unresolved, like an open wound. And when something keeps coming back like that, you realize — it’s not just a story, it’s a reckoning. I felt a responsibility to confront it, to dig into the truth, no matter how uncomfortable, and present it in a way that demands to be seen and felt.”
Yap asked the court to consolidate the cases filed by Sotto into one suit but his plea was recently rejected. The Muntinlupa court has issued a gag order, effectively preventing both sides from discussing the case in public.
Yap earlier said he was optimistic that his film would still be shown in cinemas, scheduled for February.
