Court issues gag order in Sotto vs Yap case

MANILA, Philippines — A Muntinlupa court has issued a gag order on actor Vic Sotto amid the controversy surrounding filmmaker Darryl Yap’s upcoming flick “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.”

Represented by lawyer Raymond Fortun, Yap argued that public comments about the case could cause “grave and irreparable damage” to his artistic license and the film’s outcome.

Sotto filed 19 counts of cyberlibel against Yap on Jan. 9, citing “malicious and defamatory statements” in the film’s teaser.

The teaser went viral online after linking Sotto to the rape of the late actress.

Sotto is seeking P35 million in damages. He also filed a petition for a writ of habeas data.

The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 is expected to issue its final decision on Jan. 17.

The court also ordered Sotto to comment on Yap’s motion for consolidation.