Darryl Yap jumps gun on arrest, posts P20,000 bail
image: Facebook/Darryl Yap
Film director Darryl Yap preempted his impending arrest after posting a P20,000 bail for two counts of cyberlibel charges in connection with his controversial teaser on his controversial movie, “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.”
The arrest warrant was issued March 19, Wednesday) by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 203 Presiding Judge Myra Quiambao in the case filed by TV host-actor Vic Sotto, through government prosecutors, for violation of Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
On the same day, Yap filed a bond of P10,000 for each count of cyberlibel complaint.
“After a careful evaluation of all the evidence presented during the preliminary investigation conducted in this case and herein Information for Libel under Arts. 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, in relation to violation of Section 4 (c) (4) of R.A. 10175, otherwise known as the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,” filed by the Office of the City Prosecutor of Muntinlupa City against accused Darryl Ray Spyke Yap y Balingit, the Court finds that there exists probable cause for the issuance of warrant of arrest against said accused,” the order stated.
“Let therefore a warrant of arrest be issued for the immediate apprehension of accused Darryl Ray Spyke Yap y Balingit,” it added.
Following the court order, the camp of Yap posted a cash bond worth P10,000 through official receipt No. 9801245 dated March 19, 2025, for his provisional liberty.
This prompted the RTC to “recall and set aside” the warrant.
“The herein accused Darryl Ray Spyke Yap y Balingit having voluntarily appeared before this Court and posted cash bond in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) under Official Receipt No. 9801245 dated March 19, 2025, for his provisional liberty and finding the same to be sufficient and in accordance with law, the same is hereby approved,” the court order stated.
“Accused Darryl Ray Spyke Yap y Balingit is allowed provisional liberty under the said bond. The E-Warrant of Arrest issued against said accused on March 19, 2025, is hereby RECALLED and SET ASIDE,” the order read.
An arraignment and pre-trial conference on Yap’s ongoing case is scheduled for March 26.
The penalty for a cyberlibel charge ranging from a period of six months to six years of possible imprisonment, with provisional liberty is set at P10,000.
The ongoing legal tussle between the camps of Yap and Sotto stemmed from the director-screenwriter’s blatant mention of the “Eat Bulaga” host’s name in promoting his film about the late sexy star Pepsi Paloma, particularly in the teaser.
Initially, Sotto filed 19 counts of cyber libel complaints against Yap before the Muntinlupa prosecutor’s office, seeking damages worth P35 million.
The prosecutors, however, dropped all other charges and subsequently filed two informations of cyberlibel after finding probable cause in the release of the Paloma teaser.
