The lawyer of controversial film director Darryl Yap has asked the court for a gag order in an effort to bar the camp of comedian and “Eat Bulaga!” host Vic Sotto from publicly disclosing information about his movie “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.”
Atty. Raymond Fortun, Yap's lawyer, explained that this is due to the film being unreleased.
“Any disclosure of the verified return would not only violate the Respondent’s freedom of expression, but it shall also cause grave and irreparable damage to the Respondent’s artistic license and outcome of the film,” their motion stated.
According to Fortun, they have already filed the petition with the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205.
If granted, this would mean that details of Yap’s response to the petition shall be kept in “strict confidence,” in compliance with the subjudice rule.
Yap’s petition was in response to the writ of habeas data filed on Monday by Sotto’s camp, asking the court to order the take down of all promotional materials related to the movie, including the much-talked about 26-second teaser.
Allegedly, the writ of habeas data was then issued by the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205.
But Fortun maintained, “Writ was issued (but) no stop order.”
He explained the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 only directed Yap to submit a verified return on the writ within five days from its receipt.
“The order is clear enough on what is to be done and cannot be done,” he added. “If there was a restraining order issued, it would have been explicitly stated.”
Summary hearing for the petition is set on January 15.
Vic filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Darryl at the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Last Thursday, January 9.
The TV host-actor is asking for a total of 35 million pesos in damages.