Team DailyPedia
Veteran actor and TV host Vic Sotto is standing firm on his legal battle against filmmaker Darryl Yap, who pleaded “not guilty” to two counts of cyber libel during his arraignment on Tuesday, June 3, at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.
Accompanied by his legal counsel Atty. Raymond Fortun, Yap was formally arraigned at Branch 203 of the court. On the other side, Sotto’s lawyer, Atty. Enrique dela Cruz, was also present during the proceedings.
“Director Darryl Yap pleaded not guilty to both charges of cyber libel,” Atty. Fortun confirmed in an interview with ABS-CBN News. He explained that following the arraignment, the case would proceed to pre-trial.
“During pre-trial, we try to agree on certain facts then there will be disclosure of ‘yung mga evidences that are going to be presented,” Fortun added.
Before the trial officially starts on August 19, a mandatory mediation will take place in an attempt to resolve the matter outside the courtroom.
“Sa batas natin — at ito ang hindi alam ng karamihan — ninanais pa natin ang husgado na magkaroon ng maayos na kaayusan ng mga partido,” Fortun noted. “Merong tinatawag na mediation proceedings. Mandatory po ito at during the mediation ay sisikapin nu’ng isang duly authorized and experienced na mediator na magkasundo ‘yung mga parties,” he continued.
While Fortun acknowledged that “there’s always room for settlement,” he emphasized the need for willingness from both parties to move forward amicably.
On the other hand, Atty. dela Cruz said they have not yet spoken to Vic Sotto about entering into any settlement.
“Bago magsimula yung trial, ‘laban tayo’ , eh. ‘Yun ang instruction niya sa amin. Hindi pa namin siya ulit nakakausap kung open siya sa amicable settlement,” he stated.
Atty. dela Cruz also confirmed that Sotto is expected to personally appear in court to testify during the first hearing.
“Matibay naman ‘yung aming ebidensya. In fact, dumaan ito sa preliminary investigation at sinabi naman ng fiscal na sapat ‘yung aming ebidensya para ito ay mag-proceed sa trial. Naniniwala naman kami na ganu’n din ang kahihinatnan ng paglilitis,” he said.
As for Vic’s current stance, dela Cruz reiterated: “The last time na nagkausap kami, ang sabi niya, ‘proceed tayo to trial. Let the courts decide.’”
The case stems from the controversial teaser of Yap’s shelved film The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma, which included a dramatized scene implying that Sotto was involved in an assault—a claim the actor has firmly denied.
Sotto previously filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap in January 2024. The court later ordered the deletion of the teaser following a successful writ of habeas data filed by Sotto.
