Darryl Yap asks DOJ to reverse cyberlibel resolution

Facebook/Darryl Yap

MANILA, Philippines — Filmmaker Darryl Yap has filed a petition with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to overturn the Muntinlupa City Prosecutor’s resolution, which found prima facie evidence for two counts of cyberlibel against him over the teaser for his movie “The Rape of Pepsi Paloma.”

Yap’s arraignment, originally set for Wednesday morning, was deferred to June following the filing of his partial petition for review, his lawyer Raymond Fortun told reporters.

READ: Darryl Yap posts bail for cyberlibel case

In his petition, Yap challenged the prosecutor’s findings, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent by forcing reporters and filmmakers to sanitize or “revise history” to protect individuals from “poor public perception.”

The case against him was filed by TV host Vic Sotto. Yap said the prosecutor focused on the film teaser although the entire material, based on the script, actually “exonerated, cleared and liberated” Sotto from the accusations.

Following the prosecutor’s resolution indicting Yap for cyberlibel, a warrant was applied, and the Muntinlupa regional trial court judge ordered his arrest. However, the warrant was soon set aside by the court after Yap promptly posted a bail of 10,000 for each of the two counts of cyberlibel.

Meanwhile, the Paloma movie has been shelved while the cases are pending. —Jane Bautista