Sotto, Yap motions junked

MANILA, Philippines —  Filmmaker Darryl Yap and actor Vic Sotto’s respective motions for consolidation and to show cause in the case filed before a Muntinlupa court have been denied.

Judge Liezel Aquiatan of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 dismissed Sotto’s motion to show cause against Yap over a social media post that allegedly violated a gag order.

Aquiatan issued a stern warning to Yap to comply with the gag order.

The case stemmed from Yap’s upcoming movie “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.”

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

Sotto filed 19 counts of cyberlibel against Yap on Jan. 9, citing “malicious and defamatory statements” in the film’s teaser. He is seeking P35 million in damages.

Yap filed a motion to consolidate Sotto’s cyberlibel complaint and petition for a writ of habeas data.

Aquiatan clarified that the court’s issuance of a writ of habeas data did not constitute a takedown order, as Sotto’s camp had interpreted.

Sotto had sought the removal of the film’s promotional materials.