Tito Sotto Says Pepsi Paloma Rape Controversy Was a Gimmick

The Pepsi Paloma case involving the trio of Joey de Leon, Vic Sotto and Richie D’Horsey has been subject of a lot of discussions online for the longest time. Whether or not the rape did happen was something we may never find out and will be one of those iconic Internet culture things that resurface every two, three years or so. Recently however Tito Sotto went on an interview claiming that it was all a gimmick.

credits: Aliwanavenue

Sotto made an appearance in DZMM’s “Ikaw na Ba?” election special hosted by Alvin Elchico and claimed that it was all a gimmick.

The sexy star claimed that she was gang-raped in 1982 by the trio which was the headlines during that time. She had also called on the services of Rene Cayetano to get justice for the crime. During the trial Paloma went on stating that she was drugged and later raped by de Leon, Sotto and D’Horsie.

Tito Sotto came into the story later when he reportedly coerced Paloma to sign an affidavit of desistance followed by the dropping of the rape case filed against the three comedians. When that was done the accused trio issued a public apology which the People’s Journal ran on October 13,1982.

We hope that you will not allow the error we have committed against you to stand as a stumbling block to that future which we all look forward to. We therefore ask you to find it in your heart to pardon us for the wrong which we have done against you.

Sotto denied any involvement in the issue.

Una, 1988 po ako naging vice mayor ng Quezon City. Matagal na hong wala ‘yung kwentong ‘yun. 1982 ho yung kwentong iyun eh. So, wala ho akong pakialam sa isyung iyan nung araw.

“Para ho sa kaalaman ng lahat… gimik ho ni Rey dela Cruz (Paloma’s manager) ‘yun. Hindi ho totoo ‘yun. Pinagtangkaan nilang magkaso kasi tinira sila ng libel nina Vic (Sotto) at Joey (De Leon). Idinemanda sila ng libel kaya pinagtangkaan nilang balikan ng kaso,” 

“Hindi po totoo ‘yun, wala pong katotohanan,” he added.

Sotto also said that he had no hand in Paloma’s death. Three years after the alleged gang rape incident, she was found lifeless inside her apartment in an apparent suicide.

The senator blamed blamed the sexy actress’ death on alleged drug use. “Wala ho, droga ho ‘yun!”

Watch the interview HERE:

I guess we’ll never really know the truth about this. Some say the trio was guilty, others say their not. Ely, Marcus, Buddy and Sugar-Raims (Raimund) even made a song about this.