Vic Sotto testifies in cyber libel case vs. Darryl Yap

Actor-host Vic Sotto on Tuesday testified before a Muntinlupa court for his cyber libel case against director Darryl Yap, his lawyer said.

Atty. Enrique Dela Cruz, the actor's legal counsel, told GMA News Online that Sotto testified on the alleged malice on the part of Yap for making him appear that he raped Pepsi Paloma. 

The case stemmed from the teaser of the Yap's upcoming film, "The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma," released last January 1, where the character of Gina Alajar (who is portraying Charito Solis) asked the lead actress portraying Paloma if she was raped by actor-host Vic Sotto. 

The lead character replied, "yes."

However, in his sworn judicial affidavit, Sotto said that a draft copy of the film showed that the scene shown in the teaser was cut short. 

Sotto also said that in a previous hearing, Yap testified that the full movie will not name him as one of the rapists.

"The script of the movie stated that it was just a 'publicity stunt' but that was not mentioned in the teaser video," Dela Cruz said.

Yap's camp declined to comment.

Yap was charged for libel under Article 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended in relation to violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Meanwhile, Dela Cruz said the next hearing will be on September 9. —MGP, GMA Integrated News