Filmmaker Darryl Yap pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, June 3, to cyberlibel charges filed by veteran actor and host Vic Sotto over the trailer of a movie referencing the late actress Pepsi Paloma.
“Arraignment and then pre-trial. During pre-trial, we try to agree on certain facts, then there will be disclosure of ’yung mga evidences that are going to be presented,” said Yap’s lawyer, Atty. Raymond Fortun.
Fortun confirmed that a mandatory mediation will take place before the first hearing on August 19.
“Merong tinatawag na mediation proceedings. Mandatory po ito. During the mediation, ay sisikapin nung isang duly authorized and experienced na mediator na magkasundo ’yung mga parties,” he added.
“There’s always room for settlement. Ang important naman doon ay ’yung willingness ng bawat isa,” Fortun continued.
Atty. Enrique Dela Cruz, Sotto’s legal counsel, also confirmed the arraignment.
“Binasahan ng habla si Mr. Darryl Yap, at nag-usap ’yung magkabilang panig… kung ano-anong mga dokumento ang mamarkahan,” said Dela Cruz.
“‘Laban tayo’ eh. ’Yun ang instruction niya sa’min. We’ll ask him again [about settlement]. The last time na nagkausap kami, ang sabi niya, ‘Proceed tayo to trial. Let the courts decide,’” he added.
