Vic Sotto confident public stands with him amid legal fight vs Darryl Yap

Vic Sotto with his wife Pauleen Luna and Darryl Yap (right) | Image: INQUIRER.net/Facebook

After filing a case for 19 counts of cyberlibel and a petition for writ of habeas data against Darryl Yap, Vic Sotto expressed confidence that public opinion is with him amid his legal battle against the filmmaker whose upcoming film about the late Pepsi Paloma is being contested.

Sotto was asked how his wife Pauleen Luna was taking the allegations against him in view of the controversial trailer of Yap’s “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.” A contentious part of the movie’s trailer involved a confrontation scene between the characters of Gina Alajar, as the late Charito Solis, and Rhed Bustamante (as Paloma), wherein the name of Sotto was specifically mentioned.

“She’s in full support,” said Sotto of Luna. “Not only my wife but also my children and my friends, and I think karamihan ng mga kababayan natin eh kasama ko sa laban na ‘to.” (I think most of the public is behind me in this fight.)

The “Eat Bulaga” host then extended a gratitude message to his family for their support, saying in part, “Wag sila mag-alala kayang kaya ko ‘tong laban na to.” (Don’t worry, I can very well manage this fight.)

Despite the negative imputations on his person, Sotto said he was generally unfazed by the public’s reaction over the teaser of Yap’s upcoming film, which is slated to be shown in February in Philippine cinemas.

“Kaniya-kaniya naman, demokrasya tayo, kaniya kaniyang paniniwala. Basta ako naniniwala sa sistema ng ating hustiya,” he stated. (To each his own. We’re in a democracy, so we have different views. As for me, I believe in our justice system.)

The actor-host shared that no one from Yap’s camp had sought his permission or approval regarding the film’s creation or promotional materials.

Sotto also stressed that he holds no personal grudge against the actors who are starring in the film, saying that “it’s merely for work.”

When asked if he’s seeking a public apology from Yap or anyone from the film, Sotto explained that their priority is the formal complaint.

“Sa ngayon ginawa lang namin ang nararapat. Kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman ko, ito na po ‘yon. Nakasulat na po lahat sa papel, napirmahan ko na. Kung ano man ang mangyayari sa susunod ‘yun po ang aabangan natin,” he said.

(At this point, we’re doing what needs to be done. Whatever I am feeling, this is it. It’s all written on paper that I’ve subscribed to. Whatever will happen in the coming days, we’ll just see.)

Sotto also declined to extend a message to Yap or Paloma’s family.

Meanwhile, Luna, who accompanied Sotto in the filing of the cyberlibel complaint vs. Yap, said their family was affected by the public’s reaction after the posting of the “Pepsi Paloma trailer.”

“Gaya po ng sinabi ng asawa ko, pareho lang po. Of course, as parents, as his wife, naapektuhan po kami, but of course ito po ang tamang sagot [filing a case] sa lahat ng ito,” she said.

(Like what my husband said, I will also say the same. Of course, as parents and as his wife, we were affected, but we believe this is the right response to all the allegations.)

Sotto is seeking P35 million in damages from Yap in the cyberlibel case that he filed, while in a separate filing, he asked that the Muntinlupa court issue a writ of habeas data in connection with the promotional materials related to him that is being used in the production of the Paloma movie.

He initially scored an early victory when the court granted the writ of habeas data against Yap, while the case is being heard.