AFTER the court gave Darryl Yap’s Pepsi Paloma movie a go, the filmmaker underscored his gratitude and disclosed that he would now submit it to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for review.
The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205 earlier partially granted Vic Sotto‘s petition for the issuance of the writ of habeas data against Yap. With this, the court ordered Yap to take down the teaser of the film wherein Vic’s name was mentioned as an alleged rapist of the late sexy star.
The court nonetheless allowed Yap “to proceed with the production and eventual release of the film ‘The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,’” saying it “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.”
Following the court’s decision, Yap took to his Facebook page on Monday, Jan. 27, to say, “Hindi pa rin po ako maaaring magbigay ng tuwirang pahayag sa usaping legal ngunit nais ko pong ipaabot ang aking pasasalamat sa mga nagpapahayag ng kanilang suporta at nananalangin para sa kapakanan ng pelikula.”
The director’s silence regarding legal details is in adherence to the gag order issued on both his and Vic’s camp.
“Dahil po sa inyong dasal at pagsubaybay, itinuturing po naming mahalagang balita ang pagkakaroon natin ng legal na pahintulot upang maipalabas ang ating pelikula,” the director continued.
Aside from the petition for the writ of habeas data, Vic also filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap. (Anne Pasajol © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
