MANILA, Philippines — A Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court recently granted Vic Sotto’s petition for a writ of habeas data, instructing film director Darryl Yap to respond.
The actor and television host filed this petition prior to his cyber libel complaint against Yap. The legal action concerns the use of information about Sotto in the promotion of an upcoming film focusing on the life of late 1980s actress, Pepsi Paloma.
Muntinlupa RTC’s decision is a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings involving Sotto and Yap.
The habeas data writ is a legal remedy designed to protect an individual’s right to privacy. It requires the removal or correction of personal information used without consent. Sotto’s petition aimed at preventing any unauthorized use or dissemination of information about him related to the film.
The court’s ruling mandates Yap to respond to the petition, detailing why information about Sotto was used in the film’s promotional materials.
Sotto seeks clarity on how his name and personal details were utilized in connection with the project. The court’s directive also includes providing Sotto with any records pertaining to the case that Yap might possess.
The film in question reportedly deals with the life and controversies surrounding Pepsi Paloma, a known figure in the entertainment industry during the 1980s.
Paloma’s life was marked by several high-profile incidents that drew public attention. The film aims to explore these events, which have a lasting impact on Philippine pop culture.
Sotto’s legal team argues that the unauthorized use of his information in film promotions infringes on his privacy rights.
They assert that without proper consent, using personal data for commercial purposes can lead to misinformation and potential harm to one’s reputation.
