The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered director Darryl Yap to take down the teaser for his controversial film, The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma, due to its mention of actor Vic Sotto’s name.
In a partial grant of Sotto’s petition for a writ of habeas data, the court found Yap had “misused collected data/information by presenting a conversation between two deceased individuals, which cannot be verified as having actually occurred.”
The court, however, did not fully suppress the film, citing artistic freedom, public interest, and the consent provided by Pepsi Paloma’s family for the project.
Key Court Rulings
- Teaser Removal:
The court ordered the teaser to be taken down but refrained from compelling the deletion or destruction of other related promotional materials. - Film Production Allowed:
Yap was allowed to continue production and release the movie, which the court acknowledged as being derived from public records such as newspaper clippings and footage.
Sotto’s Petition and Reactions
Sotto had requested the court to remove all materials related to the film that included his name or personal information and sought to prohibit further dissemination on any platform.
Atty. Enrique Dela Cruz, Sotto’s lawyer, welcomed the court’s ruling, emphasizing that the teaser and all related materials should be immediately removed.
“Sana ay alisin na agad ang teaser video na ginamit ang pangalan ni Mr. Vic Sotto at tanggalin na din ang anumang promo materials na may pangalan at iba pang sensitive personal information ni Mr. Vic Sotto,” Dela Cruz said.
The legal team also plans to focus on 19 counts of cyberlibel that Sotto has filed against Yap but has no intention of appealing the current decision.
Yap’s Response
Atty. Raymond Fortun, representing Yap, noted that the court did not order the deletion or correction of erroneous data beyond the teaser. He also emphasized their request for a continuance of the gag order, as the decision is not yet final.
The Controversy
The film centers on the life of Pepsi Paloma, a former actress whose death and alleged abuse remain a controversial topic in Philippine history. Yap’s teaser sparked backlash for mentioning Vic Sotto’s name, leading to legal challenges from Sotto’s camp.
While the teaser’s removal has been ordered, the court’s decision to allow the film to proceed ensures the story will still reach audiences.