Darryl Yap charged with libel for 'Pepsi Paloma' film

Controversial film director Darryl Yap now faces two cyber libel charges filed at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, related to his biopic on Pepsi Paloma.

The Muntinlupa City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, March 17 filed the charges against Yap following the conduct of a preliminary investigation over the complaint filed by Vic Sotto.

The content in question was a teaser of The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma that showed a frantic Charito Solis (Gina Alajar) confronting a distraught Pepsi (Rhed Bustamante) and asking the latter, "Ni-rape ka ba ni Vic Sotto?"

Pepsi then lets out a long, "Oo."

The text, "Nagsampa ng kasong rape si Pepsi Paloma laban kay Vic Sotto noong August 17, 1982," then flashes on the screen.

The prosecutor deemed the scene defamatory. They alleged that Yap had a deliberate and malicious intent to tarnish Sotto's reputation

“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.” 

A bail of P10,000 is recommended for each charge.

In February, Yap said that the movie will no longer push through to its supposed premiere on Feb. 5. Instead, they are looking at distributing it on streaming platforms.  

This came after the MTRCB dismissed Yap’s claim that the movie is under review, stating that he has yet to submit the necessary documentation. Specifically, he is missing the required Certificate or Clearance of No Pending Criminal, Civil, or Administrative Case from the Regional Trial Court, the Department of Justice, and the Office of the City Prosecutor.