Tito Sotto names Rey Dela Cruz key in Pepsi Paloma controversy

Trigger warning: Article mentions of rape

TV host-turned-politician Tito Sotto III has once again addressed the resurfacing of the rape allegations involving late actress Pepsi Paloma, following filmmaker Darryl Yap’s upcoming movie, The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.

During a recent senatorial interview, Sotto dismissed the long-standing controversy, attributing it to a publicity stunt orchestrated by Paloma’s late manager, Rey Dela Cruz.

“Alam ko ang pinagmulan niyan eh. 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,” Sotto said.

("I know how it started—it was a showbiz gimmick 42 years ago. My brother Vic Sotto never had any issues for a long time. But someone wanted to tarnish his image, possibly for money or to ruin his reputation. That was the cause.")

Recently, the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 partially granted Vic Sotto’s petition for a writ of habeas data against Darryl Yap, ordering the director to remove the teaser video of the controversial film from all platforms.

Additionally, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) clarified that Yap’s film has not been submitted for review due to incomplete requirements, countering claims that it was under evaluation.

Amid the controversy, Vic Sotto remains composed, stating that he has nothing to worry about.

“I have a clean conscience, malinis ang pakiramdam ko, wala naman dapat ika-worry. Ma-stress ka lang kapag inisip mo e, so relax lang,” he said.

He also emphasized his faith in God in handling the situation.

“Hindi naman tayo bibigyan ng problema ng Panginoon kung hindi kayang ayusin (God won’t give us problems that we can’t handle),” he concluded.