Darryl Yap enters 'not guilty' plea in cyberlibel case

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Darryl Yap enters 'not guilty' plea in cyberlibel case

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Jun 03, 2025 05:17 PM PHT

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MANILA (UPDATED) -- Filmmaker Darryl Yap pleaded ”not guilty” Tuesday, June 3, to the cyberlibel charges filed against him at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.

The charges stem from the trailer of a movie about the late ‘80s actress Pepsi Paloma.

Yap’s legal counsel, Atty. Raymond Fortun, confirmed the plea, describing the proceedings as “very typical and normal.”

“Arraignment and then pre-trial,” Fortun explained. “During pre-trial, we try to agree on certain facts then there will be disclosure of 'yung mga evidences that are going to be presented.”

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The first hearing is scheduled for August 19, 2025. However, before that, a mandatory mediation conference will take place.

“Sa batas natin -- at ito ang hindi alam ng karamihan -- ninanais pa natin ang husgado na magkaroon ng maayos na kaayusan ng mga partido,” Fortun said. “Merong tinatawag na mediation proceedings. Mandatory po ito at during the mediation ay sisikapin nung isang duly authorized and experienced na mediator na magkasundo 'yung mga parties.”

When asked about the possibility of settlement, Fortun stated, “There's always room for settlement. There's always room for parties to reconcile and ang important naman dun ay 'yung willingness ng bawat isa na manumbalik 'yung mga bagay na dati naman ay tahimik.”

Meanwhile, Atty. Enrique Dela Cruz, legal counsel for veteran actor and host Vic Sotto, who is the complainant in the case, corroborated today’s events.

“Nagkaroon lang ng arraignment and pre-trial binasahan ng habla si Mr. Darryl Yap at nag-usap 'yung magkabilang panig sa harapan ng hukom kung ano-anong mga dokumento ang mamarkahan, ano-anong mga issues, anong mga bagay ang inaamin ng magkabilang panig,” Atty. Dela Cruz said.

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Asked about the possibility of an out-of-court settlement, Dela Cruz revealed Sotto’s initial decision: “Bago mag-umpisa 'yung trial, ‘laban tayo’ eh. 'Yun ang instruction niya sa 'min.”

“Hindi pa namin siya uli nakakausap kung open siya sa amicable settlement kaya binuksan 'yung pagkakataon. Mandatory 'yung pre-trial... 'yung mediation, so nagtakda ng mediation. We'll ask him (Sotto) again,” he added.

Dela Cruz also confirmed that Sotto would need to attend the next hearing, as he will be called to testify as a witness during the trial.

Regarding their preparations, Dela Cruz expressed confidence.

“Matibay naman 'yung aming ebidensya. In fact, dumaan ito sa preliminary investigation at sinabi naman ng fiscal na sapat 'yung aming ebidensya para ito ay mag-proceed sa trial. Naniniwala naman kami na ganun din ang kahihinatnan ng paglilitis,” he noted.

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He reiterated Sotto’s last clear directive to them. “The last time na nagkausap kami, ang sabi niya (Sotto), ‘proceed tayo to trial. Let the courts decide.’”



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