The issue relating the controversial film, “The Rapists Of Pepsi Paloma,” is getting quite convoluted by the minute with Tito Sotto now also being dragged into the fray.
Tito, brother and co-host of Vic on "Eat Bulaga!," came out recently to belie the supposed claim of Atty. Raymond Fortun, Darryl’s lawyer, that a “Sotto sibling who’s a senator” received a copy of the film’s script before production started.
Tito maintained this is “false,” reiterating that he “never saw nor read” the script.
As to his brother also having supposedly read the script prior to the controversy erupting, he said, “Not true. They gave a copy to Vic del Rosario, not Vic Sotto.”
According to Tito, this was because Darryl’s camp was hoping that Viva would produce the film.
Meanwhile, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a gag order on Vic and his representatives, prohibiting them from publicly discussing the case.
This came upon the request of Darryl’s camp.
But the court made clear the gag order doesn’t only apply to Vic's camp.
“All parties are directed to observe strict confidentiality in compliance with the sub judice rule, ensuring that the case proceedings and any related matters remain undisclosed to the public until resolved,” the RTC said.
The court also clarified that that it has not yet ruled on the petition of Vic seeking to take down materials related to the film as seemingly suggested by his counsel relating the writ of habeas data it issued earlier.
“This court emphasizes that the issuance of the writ merely serves as a procedural directive requiring the respondents to submit a verified return. The actual relief prayed for in the petition will only be considered and resolved after the court conducts a proper hearing to assess the merits of the case,” the order said.