Director Darryl Yap has reaffirmed the February release of his highly anticipated film about the late actress Pepsi Paloma, despite ongoing legal challenges involving TV host Vic Sotto.
In a Facebook post on January 17, Yap shared that Pepsi Paloma ranked second among “trending actors” on a search engine. The caption boldly read, “THE RAPISTS OF PEPSI PALOMA. THIS FEBRUARY PH CINEMAS,” maintaining the film’s original release timeline.
Legal Issues Surrounding the Film
Hours before his announcement, Yap and Sotto faced each other in court over Sotto’s petition for a writ of habeas data. The petition seeks to remove references to Sotto’s name in the promotion of the film.
The case is one of several legal battles linked to the movie. Sotto has also filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap after being named in the film’s teaser as one of the alleged rapists of Pepsi Paloma. A gag order issued by the court restricts both parties from publicly discussing the cases.
Yap, meanwhile, attempted to consolidate the habeas data case and the cyber libel complaint, but the court rejected the motion, citing the “distinct nature, purpose, jurisdiction, and procedure” of the two actions.
Yap Pushes Forward
Despite the controversies, Yap remains steadfast. Speaking briefly after the court hearing, he said he was “okay” and focused on finishing the movie.
The Pepsi Paloma film has generated significant public interest, particularly as it addresses the controversial case surrounding the actress, whose death remains a topic of debate decades later.