The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 has partially approved renowned television personality and actor Vic Sotto's petition for writ of habeas corpus against filmmaker Darryl Yap over the trailer for the film "The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma."
Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 presiding judge Liezel Aquiatan partially granted Sotto's petition and compelled Yap to take down the teaser trailer of the movie on all internet platforms.
“Respondent DARRYL RAY SPYKE B. YAP and any person or entity acting on his behalf, including the production team of Vin Centiments, are ORDERED to delete, take down and remove the 26-second teaser video from online platforms, social media, or any other medium for having misused the collected data/information by presenting a conversation between two deceased individuals, which cannot be verified as having actually occurred,” the document reads.
Film’s production resumes
However, the court stressed that the ruling only applies to the 26-second teaser film that depicts an argument between Paloma and Charito Solis.
Therefore, the court approved the film's eventual distribution and the continuation of its production.
“The respondent, however, is ALLOWED to proceed with the production and eventual release of the film ‘The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma’,” Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 205 Presiding Judge Liezel Aquiatan said.
"The Court cannot suppress the entire film, as it is based on the life story of Pepsi Paloma where the respondent secured the consent of the mother and brother, derived from public records like newspaper clippings, footages and is protected by artistic freedom and public interest," the decision further wrote.
Sotto’s 19 counts of libel case for Yap
Sotto filed a petition earlier this month to have the film's promotional materials, teaser trailer, and other associated content removed because they include sensitive personal information on the host-actor.
Additionally, Sotto accused Yap of 19 counts of internet libel in a criminal complaint.
The suits came after Sotto's camp deemed the use of "malicious and defamatory statements" in the first teaser of the controversial director's film.
