Controversial filmmaker Darryl Yap has posted bail for two counts of cyber libel, sparing him from arrest after the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 203 found probable cause and issued an arrest warrant on March 19, 2025.
Yap voluntarily surrendered to the court and paid a cash bond of P10,000 per count (a total of P20,000) for his temporary release. The charges stem from the teaser of his unreleased film, ‘The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma’, which featured a scene implying that the late actress Pepsi Paloma was raped by TV host-actor Vic Sotto—a claim strongly denied by Sotto and his camp.
In the now-viral teaser, actress Gina Alajar (playing Charito Solis) is seen asking Rhed Bustamante (as Pepsi), “Ni-rape ka ba ni Vic Sotto?”—to which the Pepsi character tearfully responded, “Oo!”
Following the teaser’s release on January 1, 2025, Vic Sotto filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap on January 9, citing violations of Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175). However, the Muntinlupa City Prosecutor’s Office only found merit in two of the 19 complaints, dismissing the other 17 for lack of probable cause.
In a court order signed by Presiding Judge Myra Quiambao, Yap was granted provisional liberty: “The herein accused… having voluntarily appeared before this Court and posted cash bond… for his provisional liberty and finding the same to be sufficient and in accordance with law, the same is hereby approved. The E-Warrant of Arrest issued… is hereby recalled and set aside.”
Yap’s arraignment and pre-trial conference are scheduled for March 26, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.
The legal battle continues to generate buzz, as the film remains unreleased and the case raises questions about artistic freedom, accountability, and the handling of sensitive historical allegations in entertainment media.
As of now, neither Yap nor Vic Sotto has issued a public statement following the latest court developments.
