Lawyer Raymund Fortun. Photo:Republika News/Izel Abanilla
MANILA, Philippines – “May resibo kami.”
This is the bold statement of lawyer Raymund Fortun who said they have proof that the script for the controversial Pepsi Paloma movie was received by the Sotto camp and it was in fact them who did not respond despite numerous follow-up attempts.
Fortun, who represents controversial filmmaker Darryl Yap, said it was never the client’s intention to surprise those involved in the film, especially Sotto who is the petitioner with the movie, its content and its truth.
“Si Direk Darryl Yap hindi po itinatago ‘yung script na ito dun sa pamilya,” Fortun said.
The script, according to Fortun was forwarded to a prominent sibling of the petitioner through an intermediary. It was received.
“In fact, even before he started shooting, he gave a copy of the script to one of the siblings of the petitioner. He’s actually a very known and prominent person. Pinadaan ito through an intermediary na kilala din nung kabilang grupo,” he said.
“Makadalawa o tatlong beses ‘yun na tinanong ni Direk Darryl kung merong reaksyon, may feed back baka meron silang gustong idagdag. There was none,” Fortun said.
While not specifically mentioning any name, the actor’s very prominent sibling who was a senator was an obvious reference to Senate President Tito Sotto who is seeking re-election in the coming May 2025 polls.
Sotto on Thursday (January 9) filed 19 counts of cyber libel charges against Yap after being deliberately mentioned in the teaser as Paloma’s attacker. The direct reference to the actor’s sensitive personal information, in this case his name, was a violation of his right to privacy without his consent.
Yap’s camp however maintains that there was no intention at all to keep the script and the story from Sotto.
“Ang totoo ho niyan ay wala hong intensyon na saktan ni Direk Darryl ‘yung kabilang grupo. He was very much willing to share the script with the other side so that they can also make inputs or whatever,” Fortun said.
Fortun reiterated that there was no intent to cause damage to anybody’s reputation or even try to hurt Sotto at all.
Since one of Sotto’s arguments is not being asked for his side of the story, Fortun said they have receipts to prove that indeed, the Sotto camp had received the copy of the script and it was them who did not respond.
“Meron kaming resibo,” Fortun said.
“Hindi na namin kailangan pang humingi ng receiving copy dahil ‘yun naman pong intermediary ang nagsabi na na sakanila na nakailang beses nga na tinanong na ano ang reaksyon ang sagot ay wala,” Fortun said.
The script, according to Fortun was already given prior to the film shoot. The production pushed with the shooting over Christmas break when they received no response from the Sottos.
RELATED STORIES:
Vic Sotto slaps Darryl Yap with 19 counts of cyber libel over Pepsi Paloma film teaser
Court orders Darryl Yap to answer Vic Sotto’s Writ of Habeas Data petition
Republika News 
Leave a comment