Lawyer Raymund Fortun. Photo:Republika News/Izel Abanilla

MANILA, Philippines – The teaser video of the film “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” is not libelous because it is only an illustration of a past event according to somebody’s confession. 

This is filmmaker Darryl Yap’s defense as stated by his legal counsel Raymund Fortun when they submitted their response to the cyber libel cases filed by comedian Vic Sotto against the director. 

Yap, on Monday (January 13),  filed for a motion for immediate consolidation and another motion to cancel the scheduled January 15 summary hearing. 

Fortun said Yap maintains his truth about the film and its story. 

“Truth is a defense in libel,” Fortun said. 

“If whatever came out in the teaser is truthful, or can be based on truth then it cannot be based on truth then it cannot be considered as libelous,” he said. 

Sotto’s 19 counts of cyber libel charges were based on the teaser video that mentioned his name as the alleged attacker of actress Pepsi Paloma. 

In the teaser, actress Gina Alajar who played Charito Solis asked young actress Rhed Bustamante who played Paloma if Sotto raped her.

Bustamante shouted a loud and long “oo.” 

Sotto’s lawyer Enrique dela Cruz said the bold mention of his client’s sensitive personal information like his name is definitely an act constituting libel. 

Yap’s camp however defends the teaser and how it should be appreciated. 

“Let’s just take a look at the teaser, it’s merely an accusation,” Fortun said. 

The teaser, according to Fortun, is simply an illustration of a confession of Paloma to another actress who, according to stories, was the one she told the incident to during those times. 

“It is not a categorical declaration of guilt but one which is based on an accusation for which there has been a sworn statement issued,” Fortun said.

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