A Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) has denied director Darryl Yap’s motion to consolidate two separate legal cases filed by actor Vic Sotto over a teaser for the movie The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma, which mentioned Sotto’s name.
In a four-page decision, Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 ruled that Yap’s petition to merge the writ of habeas data case filed by Sotto and the 19 cyberlibel complaints pending before the Muntinlupa Office of the Prosecutor was without merit.
“The two legal actions are distinct in nature, purpose, jurisdiction, and procedure,” the court stated, explaining that consolidation is only permissible if cases share common legal or factual issues and are handled by the same forum.
It further noted that while the cases may involve overlapping circumstances, their legal issues and sought relief differ, necessitating independent proceedings.
The court also denied Sotto’s request for a show cause order against Yap.
A hearing initially set for January 15, which was canceled pending the consolidation motion, will now proceed as scheduled on January 17.
Both parties have refrained from issuing statements.
The teaser in question alleged Sotto’s involvement in rape, a claim that Sotto denied. He also stated that no consultation was made with him before the film’s teaser was released. However, Yap’s legal counsel, Atty. Raymond Fortun, claimed that a copy of the script had been provided to Sotto for feedback before the teaser’s publication.
