poneclub Vic Sotto, Darryl Yap face off in court for first time

Vic Sotto and Darryl Yap. Image: Instagram/@pauleenlunasotto; Facebook/Darryl Yap

Vic Sotto and Darryl Yap were both present at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on Friday, Jan 17, to attend the hearing of the veteran TV host’s petition for the writ of habeas data.

Both Sotto and Yap greeted the members of the press but did not comment on the legal matters because of the gag order earlier issued by the court.

This is the first time that the two show biz personalities arrived since the case was filed and eventually set for hearing.

Yap, who arrived at the Muntinlupa court by himself, nonetheless said that he is “okay” and that he is “finishing the movie,” apparently referring to the film which he titled “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.”

Sotto, for his part, remained mum. The “Eat Bulaga” host was accompanied by his wife Pauleen Luna.

Aside from the habeas data case, Sotto also separately filed 19 counts of cyberlibel against Yap, after the former’s name was mentioned in the filmmaker’s movie teaser as one of the alleged rapists of the late sexy actress.

The habeas data petition sought to remove any information about him used in the promotion of the upcoming film.

Yap’s camp, in turn, filed an urgent motion for the issuance of a gag order. The director’s camp stressed that the film involved in the case has yet to be released, hence discussing it in public could affect the director’s project.

The court then issued a gag order on the camp of both Sotto and Yap, directing all the parties to refrain from speaking about the contents of Yap’s verified return and other matters concerning the case.

The filmmaker also filed a motion seeking to consolidate the habeas data civil case and the cyberlibel complaint, which is still pending before the prosecutors. The same court, however, rejected Yap’s motion to consolidate, noting that the “two legal actions are inherently distinct in nature, purpose, jurisdiction, and procedure.”

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