Pauleen Luna is in the spotlight after her daughter, Tali Sotto, faced bullying at school due to a controversial teaser for the film “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.” This situation stems from Vic Sotto, Pauleen’s husband and “Eat Bulaga” host, filing 19 counts of cyber libel against director Darryl Yap.
In an interview with Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), Vic’s legal advisor, Atty. Buko Dela Cruz, revealed that the teaser not only affected Vic personally but also had dire repercussions for his family, including threats directed at Pauleen. The comments section of the teaser video was rife with harassment, causing significant stress and fear for Pauleen, a major factor in the Sotto family’s decision to take legal action.
Moreover, Tali has reportedly endured bullying at school, with the harassment escalating after her father’s name was mentioned in the teaser. This occurred during a scene featuring actresses Gina Alajar and Rhed Bustamante.
Atty. Dela Cruz emphasized that while the film may have noble intentions, its fallout on the families involved cannot be ignored. He pointed out that their legal action currently focuses solely on the teaser, not the entire film, aiming to stop its distribution. Should the film be released and further incidents arise, the court will determine if additional legal steps are warranted.
Meanwhile, Atty. Raymond Fortun, representing director Darryl Yap, clarified that there has been no court order to cease the release of the teaser or promotional materials. As such, the teasers continue to circulate across social media platforms.
On January 9, Vic Sotto officially filed his case against Darryl Yap in Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court, alleging 19 counts of cyber libel due to the dissemination of videos and teasers that allegedly contain false information damaging to Vic’s reputation and that of his family. Vic is seeking to halt the spread of these materials online.
This unfolding drama highlights the tension within the film industry, particularly regarding privacy, reputation, and the responsibilities filmmakers have regarding the impact of their projects on others’ lives. The public, along with legal and media experts, continues to closely monitor the case as it develops.
