Controversy continues to surround director Darryl Yap’s upcoming Pepsi Paloma film as screenshots shared by lawyer Jesus Falcis allegedly show Yap admitting he did not seek permission from Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon (TVJ) for references to their names in the film. The revelations fuel the ongoing legal battle between Yap and Vic Sotto.
Vic Sotto recently filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap, demanding damages amounting to Php 35 million. This legal action stems from a teaser for the Pepsi Paloma film, which Sotto claims uses his name in a defamatory manner. Sotto’s camp has also denied receiving a copy of the film’s script, contrary to earlier claims made by Yap’s legal counsel.
The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 granted Yap’s petition for a gag order, prohibiting all parties from discussing the case publicly until it is resolved. The court emphasized strict adherence to the sub judice rule to maintain the integrity of the proceedings.
Amid these developments, Jesus Falcis took to social media to share screenshots from Yap’s Facebook comments. According to the screenshots, Yap openly admitted that he did not consult TVJ or provide them with a script before including their names in the film. Yap justified his decision by citing the availability of public documents as a sufficient basis for his creative choices.
In a post accompanying the screenshots, Falcis wrote, “Even Yap himself admitted multiple times in the comments section of his Facebook page that he neither sought permission from TVJ nor provided them with the script. His statements directly contradict his legal counsel’s claims.”
The controversy has also prompted Senator Tito Sotto to issue a public denial, reiterating that neither he nor his fellow TVJ members ever received the script. Sotto claimed that Yap had sent the script to Vic Del Rosario, not TVJ.
This latest development raises questions about the integrity of Yap’s claims and further complicates his legal battle with Vic Sotto. While the court’s gag order limits public discourse, the release of these screenshots has intensified scrutiny of Yap’s actions and intentions. The outcome of the case remains uncertain, but it has undeniably sparked significant public interest.