(From left) Vic Sotto and Darryl Yap. Images: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net, Facebook/Darryl Yap
Vic Sotto did not delve into his ongoing legal battle with director-screenwriter Darryl Yap due to the gag order issued by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, but he nonetheless remained unfazed.
The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205 issued a gag order on Sotto and Yap’s camps on Monday, January 13, prohibiting both parties from disclosing information about the ongoing case related to the upcoming movie “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.” The Yap-directed film is reportedly based on the life of the late sexy star.
The urgent motion for a gag order was filed by Yap’s legal counsel, Atty. Raymond Fortun, on Saturday, January 11, before the trial court handling Sotto’s habeas data petition.
Amid the ongoing legal battle, Sotto was calm as he spoke with reporters on the sidelines of a barley drink launch in Quezon City on Tuesday, January 14. “I’m good. I’m relaxed. Just going with the flow. Basta ako naman (For me), I trust in God,” he said, addressing how he was doing.
When asked why he remained calm despite the ongoing legal battle, Sotto said he has a “clean conscience.” He added that he will remain to be “chill” as it goes on, which he noted is “important” for him to do so.
“Because I have a clean conscience. Malinis ang pakiramdam ko. Wala naman dapat ika-worry. Mai-istress ka lang kapag iniisip mo,” he said.
(My feeling is clear. There’s nothing to worry about. You’ll only stress if you think about it.)
“Daanan mo lang nang daanan. Iisa lang naman ang pupuntahan natin. Basta derecho ang daan. ‘Yun naman ang importante. Bawal ang paliko-liko, basta derecho lang ang daan,” he said.
(Just keep going forward. We’re heading to just one place. As long as the road is straight, that’s what’s important. No detours, just keep going straight.)
But when Sotto was asked further if he was willing to settle his legal battle with Yap beyond the court, he said: “I cannot talk about that, sorry.”
WATCH: Vic Sotto said he is “relaxed” amid his ongoing legal battle with director-screenwriter Darryl Yap.
He didn’t delve into the ongoing case due to the gag order issued on both parties. | @HMallorcaINQ
READ RELATED STORY: https://t.co/i4vh3sJkQr pic.twitter.com/wkaFV160yM
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) January 14, 2025
The actor-comedian said he “appreciates” the support of his wife Pauleen Luna-Sotto, family, and friends, adding that Pauleen remains “chill” while he takes the lead.
“Of course, I appreciate [the support from] my wife, my family, my children, ang aking mga kaibigan. Maraming salamat. Sila ang nagbibigay ng lakas ng loob sa’kin (Thank you very much. They’re the ones who give me strength),” he said.
Touching on his close bond with Senate reelectionist Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and co-host Joey de Leon, he said that they go “all out” in supporting him
“All-out support. Kahit anong mangyari, sama-sama kami,” he said. “Ako talaga si relax lang eh, hindi ko masyadong pinoproblema ang mga problema. Hindi tayo bibigyan ng problema ng Panginoon kung hindi kayang ayusin.”
(All-out support. No matter what happens, we’re together. I’m just relaxed. I don’t really worry about the problem. The Lord will not give us anything we cannot handle.)
In a three-page order, Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 Judge Liezel Aquiatan cited the subjudice rule of the gag order, which refrains Sotto and Yap from disclosing any information about their legal battle.