Darryl Yap charged with cyberlibel in Muntinlupa RTC

Two counts of cyberlibel have been filed against director Darryl Yap with the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court in connection with his controversial biopic on the late sexy actress Pepsi Paloma. 

In an information dated March 17, the Office of the City Prosecutor accused Yap of libel under Article 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to violation of Republic Act 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The charges stemmed from the teaser of the Yap’s upcoming film, “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,” released last January 1, wherein the character of Gina Alajar (who is playing as Charito Solis) asked the lead actress portraying Pepsi Paloma if she was raped by actor-host Vic Sotto. The lead character replied, “yes.” 

The city prosecutor said the scene defamed Sotto: “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.” 

The recommended bail for each count is P10,000.

Sotto filed 19 counts of cyberlibel complaints against Yap in January.

In an interview, Sotto said he kept mum about the viral videos but has now decided to seek justice. 

"A lot of people have been asking me, 'ano reaction mo?' Ito na po yun. Ito na po yung reaction ko. Sabi ko nga eh, ito'y walang personalan ito, i just trust in our justice system. Ako'y laban sa mga irresponsableng tao lalo na pagdating sa social media," he said.

According to Sotto, no one from the movie production consulted him. "Walang kumunsulta, walang nagpaalam, walang consent."—Vince Angelo Ferreras/AOL, GMA Integrated News