TV host Tito Sotto has come out to reiterate the hotly debated Pepsi Paloma issue is mere gimmick, one that was hatched by late talent manager Rey dela Cruz 42 years ago.
Appearing on ABS-CBN’s senatorial interview "Harapan 2025," Tito, who is gunning for a senate seat in the upcoming elections, related, "It was a showbiz gimmick 42 years ago."
"Sa tagal-tagal ng panahon na walang problema sa brother ko (Vic Sotto), meron nang nakaisip bumaling. Baka pera ang usapan diyan or meron gustong siraan. ‘Yun lang ang pupuntahan niyan,” he added.
Tito shared it was something that he had long disregarded as he knows exactly why Rey thought of peddling the same all those years ago.
"Alam namin kung anong pinagmulan niyan. Gusto maka-singil ni Rey dela Cruz sa guesting ng artists niya na hindi makasingil, ‘yun talaga,” he said.
Tito, however, did not name the talents or the particular show where the supposed artists made an appearance.
Brothers Tito and Vic, together with good friend Joey de Leon, have been hosting the noontime show, “Eat Bulaga” since the late 70s.
The Pepsi Paloma issue resurfaced recently after director Darryl Yap dropped the teaser of his upcoming film “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.”
The teaser featured a character pointing to Vic as one of the alleged rapists.
Only a few days later, Vic filed a petition for the issuance of a writ of habeas data before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC).
A separate complaint for 19 counts of cyberlibel was likewise filed against Darryl before the Muntinlupa prosecutor’s office.
Eventually, the Muntinlupa RTC partially granted the writ of habeas data petition, which ordered the removal of the controversial teaser from all platforms.
The court, however, allowed the showing of the movie, which has since been re-titled simply as "Pepsi Paloma."