Sotto Demands Inquirer to Delete ‘Fake News’ About Pepsi Paloma Case

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is demanding Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) to remove its three articles linking him to the rape and death of the late “80s softdrink beauty” Pepsi Paloma. According to the Eat Bulaga host-politician, those articles contain unverified contents and therefore can be considered as fake news.

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“Senate President Tito Sotto has "requested" the Philippine Daily Inquirer to remove from its website all the articles I wrote about him ("The Rape of Pepsi Paloma" and "Was Pepsi Paloma Murdered?").” Inquirer columnist Rodel Rodis wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday, June 17, a caption to a photo of Sotto’s letter to Inquirer.

“I am writing in relation to my earlier request to remove from your news website all the published articles implicating me in the alleged rape of Pepsi Paloma, particularly on the withdrawal of her case, that happened several years ago. I believe there was a malicious imputation of a crime against me.” Sotto wrote on his May 29 letter to Inquirer Interactive President and Chairman Paolo Prieto.

“These kinds of unverified have been negatively affecting my reputation for the longest time. My efforts to clarify my side were somewhat ineffectual by reason of the aforecited articles were shared by your readers to the social media, and those readers who knew nothing about the issue took them as the version of truth considering that those reports came from a well-trusted company like Inquirer.net,” he added.

“Please note that I am making this appeal without the intention of trampling on your freedom of speech or of the press….Just like everyone, I am for the truth – a ‘balanced news,’ so to speak.” The 69-year Senate president said further. In a text message to Politiko, he said that the rape issue was only a gimmick by Rey Dela Cruz, Paloma’s manager.

Born Delia Duenas Smith, Pepsi Paloma started her showbiz career in 1981 bold film ‘Brown Emmanuelle’ at the age of 14. She was launched along with Coca Nicolas and Sarsi Emanuelle. In 1982, she met the hosts of Eat Bulaga – Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and Richie D’Horsey (Richie Reyes), while she was promoting her film.



Paloma then reported to the police, and accused the three Eat Bulaga hosts of forcing her and fellow actress Guada Guarin to take drugs, and raped them at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. However, Pepsi later signed an affidavit of desistance, and no criminal charges were filed against them. In return, they should issue a public apology.

On May 31, 1985, Pepsi Paloma was found dead in her apartment in Quezon City, with a rope looped around her neck. Police concluded that she committed suicide due to personal and financial problems. However, her then-manager Babette Corcuerra said that the actress was earning well, and was even preparing for a huge party for her debut.

Contributed by Orlando Gagui