Take down Paloma teaser video – court

MANILA, Philippines — The teaser video for the upcoming film “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” has been ordered removed from online platforms by a Muntinlupa court.

Director Darryl Yap, however, is allowed to continue producing and releasing the controversial movie.

In a 20-page order issued yesterday, the court partially granted actor Vic Sotto’s petition for a writ of habeas data, saying Yap had misused data and information by portraying an unverifiable conversation between two deceased people.

The court allowed the film’s release as it derived Paloma’s life story from public records, newspaper clippings and archival footage.

Judge Liezel Aquiatan of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 also recognized the artistic freedom and public interest aspects of the movie.

“The court cannot suppress the entire film, as the respondent secured the consent of the mother and brother of Pepsi Paloma,” the ruling stated.

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

Allegations of Yap’s malice or bad motives fall under a separate cyberlibel case, which is still being probed by the city prosecutor, the court noted.

Sotto’s lawyer Enrique de la Cruz welcomed the ruling.

“We are grateful to the honorable court for its decision, which grants justice to Vic Sotto’s petition,” De la Cruz said.

He called for the immediate removal of promotional materials bearing Sotto’s name and other sensitive personal information.

Sotto’s wife Pauleen Luna expressed relief in an Instagram post.

“We urge everyone to act with kindness, integrity and respect, striving to uplift one another instead of causing harm,” she said.

The film is reportedly set for theatrical release on Feb. 5.