MTRCB says Darryl Yap's Pepsi Paloma movie not yet under review due to incomplete documents
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said controversial movie The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma is not currently under review due to incomplete requirements, dismissing director Darryl Yap's claim that it was.
Following a Muntinlupa court's order to delete its teaser but still push through with the full movie's release, Yap expressed gratitude over the decision in a Facebook post on Jan. 28, saying it protects his "rights of artistic expression and the public's right to the truth."
He then declared, "Our film is now being reviewed by MTRCB."
But on Jan. 29, the board said it was a false claim.
"To set the record straight, the MTRCB Registration Unit could not accept the materials submitted by the representative of PinoyFlix because the Legal Affairs Division required the distributor to provide three specific requirements such as Certificate or Clearance of No Pending Criminal, Civil, or Administrative Case from the Regional Trial Court, the Department of Justice, and the Office of the City Prosecutor.”
PinoyFlix is the movie's distributor.
The board's legal affairs division said it has "formally communicated" with PinoyFlix regarding the missing requirements "to ensure that there will be no violation of the P.D. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulation."
The presidential decree of then-president Ferdinand Marcos mandates the MTRCB to review and censor movies and television shows.
The MTRCB noted that it has 30 board members, a chairperson, and a vice chairperson.
A review committee with three board members handles the applications. If warranted, there's also a second committee with five board members.
“Each film undergoes a rigorous and meticulous review process," the MTRCB noted.
It pointed out that it "will not tolerate any misinformation or false narrative that seek to discredit the Agency and undermine its mandate to protect the public interest."
“Any attempt to deliberately mislead the public will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” it added.
Pepsi Paloma biopic
The movie is about Pepsi Paloma, born Delia Dueña Smith, a rising star in the '80s who reportedly took her own life in 1985. She was 18. Her body was found in her home in Quezon City.
The already-controversial subject for a movie stirred controversy further as a 26-second teaser showed Pepsi (Rhed Bustamante) responding in the affirmative to Charito Solis (Gina Alajar)'s question on whether Vic Sotto had raped her.
The text, "Nagsampa ng kasong rape si Pepsi Paloma laban kay Vic Sotto noong August 17, 1982," also flashed on the screen.
Sotto filed a writ of habeas data against Yap, asking to take down promotional materials, teaser videos, and other material related to the film, saying it mentions sensitive personal information. He also filed 19 counts of cyber libel against Yap, seeking P35 million in moral and exemplary damages.
Sotto said he wasn't consulted about the movie and only found out through his loved ones.
Yap, meanwhile, said "there was an attempt to consult," claiming to have sent Sotto a copy of the script before production.
On Jan. 26, Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 205 partially approved Sotto's writ of habeas data petition against Yap. It still allowed the movie's production and release, saying it's "protected by artistic freedom and public interest."
Last Jan. 21, Yap dropped the movie's 1-minute and 11-second trailer, which showed clips of interviews with Pepsi's mother and brother.
Yap previously noted that only accounts with "evidentiary" support would be shown in the movie.
