Tovic Salvador

Darryl Yap's counsel asks court to postpone Jan 15 hearing

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173674382910120250113 (10).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Filmmaker Darryl Yap. <em>Photo credit: Yap&#x27;s Facebook page</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — All parties in the cyber libel case filed by Vic Sotto against filmmaker Darryl Yap have been directed by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 to not disclose or discuss the case proceedings and any related matters after it granted Yap’s urgent motion for issuance of a gag order filed last January 10.</p><p>“The Petitioner and any person acting for and on behalf of the petitioner are enjoined from publicly disclosing or discussing the contents of the verified return to be submitted by the respondents in this case, as well as any matters learned from the proceedings of this case,” said the Omnibus Order released on Monday.</p><p>“All parties are directed to observe strict confidentiality in compliance with the sub judice rule, ensuring that the case proceedings and any related matters remain undisclosed to the public until resolved,” it added.</p><p>Yap’s lawyer Raymond Fortun said they filed the motion to prevent Sotto’s camp from releasing “irresponsible” statements and to prevent the disclosure of any details of the movie as it has not yet been released.</p><p>The court found merit in the argument that the release of information could gravely affect the outcome of the film.</p><p>“The lawyers’s statements may cause to misrepresent the court’s orders and could prejudice public perception. Ultimately, the court’s priority would be to protect the fair administration of justice and prevent undue influence on the judicial processes,” the order read.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/10/darryl-yap-s-camp-asks-court-to-issue-gag-order-vs-vic-sotto-1707">Darryl Yap&#x27;s camp asks court to issue gag order vs Vic Sotto</a></div><p>Sotto charged Yap with 19 counts of cyber libel after screen veteran’s name was mentioned in the teaser of the latter’s film &quot;The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma”.</p><p>In the Omnibus Order released Monday, Presiding Judge Liezel Aquiatan ordered Sotto to comment within three days on the motion for consolidation filed by Fortun on Monday.</p><p>The motion for consolidation seeks to consolidate Sotto’s petition for a writ of habeas data with his criminal complaint as mandated under Supreme Court Circular 08-1-16-SC.</p><p>The court clarified that it has not yet ruled on the petition of Sotto seeking to  takedown materials related to the film.</p><p>“The petitioner mistakenly believed that the issuance of the writ already constituted the granting of the relief sought in their petition for a writ of habeas data,” it said.</p><p>“This court emphasizes that the issuance of the writ merely serves as a procedural directive requiring the respondents to submit a verified return. The actual relief prayed for in the petition will only be considered and resolved after the court conducts a proper hearing to assess the merits of the case,” the order said.  </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/9/vic-sotto-files-complaint-vs-maker-of-pepsi-paloma-trailer-1033">Vic Sotto files complaint vs Darryl Yap over Pepsi Paloma movie</a></div><p>Meanwhile, the January 15 hearing has been reset to 8:30 a.m. of January 17.</p><p>Sotto’s lawyer Enrique Dela Cruz refused to comment given the gag order.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/10/-res-judicata-assistant-law-dean-reacts-to-vic-sotto-lawsuit-vs-darryl-yap-1129">&#x27;Res judicata&#x27;: Assistant dean reacts to Vic Sotto lawsuit vs Darryl Yap</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>SOTTO CONSULTED ON THE MOVIE?</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CSxt4iwSkgg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div><p>Fortun earlier said Yap gave Sotto’s camp a copy of the script before filming last year.</p><p>“He gave a copy of the script to one of the siblings of the petitioner. And he’s actually a very known and prominent person and pinadaan ito through an intermediary na kilala din nung kabilang grupo. Baka dalawa o tatlong beses yun na tinanong ni Direk Darryl kung merong reaksyon, may feedback, baka meron silang gustong idagdag. And there was none,” Fortun said.</p><p>“So ang totoo po niyan ay wala talagang intensiyon na saktan ni Direk Darryl yun pong kabilang grupo. He was very much willing to share the script with the other side,” he added. “There was an attempt to consult…Wala yung actual malice, walang malisya.”</p><p>Sotto’s lawyer disputed this statement.</p><p>“He is misinformed. That is not true,” Dela Cruz told ABS-CBN in a message.</p><p>He said Sotto only knew of the movie after the teaser was released this month.</p><p>Sotto&#x27;s brother, former Senate President Vicente Sotto IIl, also denied that he received a copy of the movie script. </p><p>&quot;The so called script was given to Vic del Rosario. Not Vic Sotto. BTW, so what?&quot; the former Senate chief said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MOVIE RELEASE</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5bas_c67xGk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div><p>Fortun hopes the movie will still be released by February 2025.</p><p>He said a change in the title might be forthcoming.</p><p>“I would not know why Director Yap has agreed to change the title. Sa kanyang post ang sinasabi niya is that locally the local theaters would not want any title which carries the word &#x27;rape.&#x27; So out of deference na lang at para na lamang din sa interes po ng publiko, voluntarily nag-decide po si Direk na baguhin na lang yung title para kumomporme doon sa mga gusto ng mga movie theaters,&quot; Fortun said.</p><p>&quot;Now as to whether he is going to change the title internationally, that will all up to him, as well as the probably any movie association or governing body with regard to titles.” </p><p>He insisted that the production of the film was not politically motivated.</p><p>“The son of Vic Sotto is not even mentioned in the movie. The brother is not even mentioned in the movie so no, it’s not politically motivated,” Fortun said. — With a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MORE VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pHqJvCtKwtM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CaZBgNcd9NM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>ll parties in the cyber libel case filed by Vic Sotto against filmmaker Darryl Yap have been directed by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 to not disclose or discuss the case proceedings and any related matters. </p>

ll parties in the cyber libel case filed by Vic Sotto against filmmaker Darryl Yap have been directed by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 to not disclose or discuss the case proceedings and any related matters.

Court issues gag order on Sotto-Yap case, says no takedown order yet on film materials

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Court issues gag order on Sotto-Yap case, says no takedown order yet on film materials

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News,

Published January 13, 2025 12:51 PM PHT

|

Updated January 13, 2025 02:29 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

ANC promo

Vic Sotto

Darryl Yap

Raymond Fortun

Pepsi Paloma

motion to consolidate

motion to cancel hearing

The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.