TV Host Vic Sotto files cyberlibel against filmmaker Darryl Yap

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Friday, January 10, 2025

Filipino TV Host Vic Sotto filed nineteen counts of cyberlibel against filmmaker and director Darryl Yap regarding the trailer of a film centered on the 1980s star Pepsi Paloma. Sotto is the host of the Philippine noontime show Eat Bulaga! and starred in the film The Kingdom[Source], featured in the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival.

"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."

—Vic Sotto, 01/2025

On January 9, 2025, Sotto's lawyer, Enrique Dela Cruz, confirmed that a case was filed against Yap at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, where Sotto arrived with his wife, Pauleen Luna-Sotto. Nineteen counts of violating Section 4 of Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2022, have been filed. The complaint also seeks 35 million Philippine pesos (USD 599,751.53) in moral and exemplary (punitive) damages.

"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."

—Darryl Yap, 01/2025

The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC), promptly issued an order to remove the film's trailer. Yap previously clarified that the film focuses on Pepsi Paloma and is not about the TVJ, the trio Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon. However, he acknowledged that TVJ will appear in the movie.


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