Vic Sotto Finally Breaks Silence on Pepsi Paloma Controversy — Decades Later, the Pain Still Echoes

Manila, Philippines — In a moment that has left both fans and critics stunned, veteran actor and TV personality Vic Sotto has finally spoken publicly about the most controversial and painful chapter of his life — the case involving the late teenage actress Pepsi Paloma.

For over 40 years, the incident has remained a dark cloud hanging over Philippine showbiz, fueling whispers, online theories, and public outrage. And now, with one of the central figures finally addressing the matter, the wounds of the past have been reopened — but closure remains elusive.

“I’ve carried the weight of silence for too long,” Vic Sotto said in a recent televised interview. “Now it’s time I speak, not to erase the past, but to give my truth.”

A Scandal That Shook the Nation

In the early 1980s, Pepsi Paloma — a rising star in her teens — made headlines after she filed a serious complaint against three major television personalities, including Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Richie D’Horsie.

The allegations were serious, the headlines explosive, and the public reaction swift. At just 15 years old, Pepsi accused the trio of deep personal misconduct, which allegedly took place in a hotel room in Quezon City.

But what made the situation even more controversial was how it ended: Pepsi later signed an affidavit retracting her claims, reportedly after public apologies were issued in newspapers, and private settlements were arranged behind closed doors.

Vic Sotto’s Version: “I Never Did What I Was Accused Of”

Now, decades later, Vic Sotto has come forward to firmly deny any wrongdoing.

“Nothing of that nature happened. I’ve lived with the accusations, but I know in my heart what the truth is,” he said, holding back emotion. “It was painful to be judged without a trial, and even more painful that someone so young became the center of it all.”

He added that, while he acknowledges the damage the issue caused, he maintains that his conscience is clear.

“We were all young, careless, and unprepared for how serious things could become. But I did not do what I was accused of doing. That’s the truth I’ve kept all these years.”

The Tragic Fate of Pepsi Paloma

Just a few years after the controversy, Pepsi Paloma was found lifeless in her apartment in 1985. The cause was ruled as suicide, but questions surrounding her death continue to haunt those who remember the case.

Many believe she was silenced, or that the emotional toll of the case pushed her beyond her limits. Others suggest deeper, darker forces were at play.

Vic Sotto addressed this part of the tragedy with visible discomfort.

“Her passing shook me. It was heartbreaking. I never truly knew what she was going through. I wish things had been different… I wish we had all handled everything with more care and respect.”

Why Speak Now?

When asked why he waited this long to speak, Vic Sotto said that he had been advised by legal and professional circles to stay silent. But with the story still spreading across the internet and new generations discovering the case, he said the time felt right.

“I know people have made up their minds. Some may never believe me. But silence has only made things worse. I needed to tell my side.”

He also admitted that the issue has affected his career and personal life for decades.

“Every time I walk into a room, I feel it — the judgment, the questions. Even when people don’t say anything, I know the story is still alive.”

Public Reaction: A Nation Still Divided

Since Vic Sotto’s statement aired, the public has been sharply divided:

Supporters believe he has been wrongly accused and deserves peace.

Others argue that the truth has been buried and that justice was never served.

Many express sympathy for Pepsi Paloma, whose story ended far too soon.

Social media has exploded with hashtags like #JusticeForPepsi, #VicSottoStatement, and #NeverForgetPepsi, showing that even after four decades, this is no ordinary showbiz scandal — it’s a national trauma.

The Larger Question: Will the Truth Ever Be Known?

No formal court resolution was ever reached. No trial. No full investigation. And the central figure — Pepsi Paloma — is no longer alive to share her own version of events.

Journalists, historians, and truth-seekers have long called for a full reopening of the case, if only to understand the power dynamics and pressures that led to the silence of a teenage girl — and the continued silence of those accused.

But with key witnesses gone and legal files sealed or lost, the truth may forever remain buried beneath fame, fear, and forgotten files.

Conclusion: A Legacy Stained by Silence

Vic Sotto’s statement brings no final answers, only more emotion, more questions, and a painful reminder that fame does not erase the past.

For some, it is a long-overdue moment of clarity. For others, it’s another chapter in a story that has never truly ended.

And for Pepsi Paloma — remembered by many as a star extinguished too soon — her name has now returned to the spotlight not for her films, but for the mystery that continues to haunt an entire nation.

Tito Sotto names Rey Dela Cruz key in Pepsi Paloma controversy

Trigger warning: Article mentions of rape

TV host-turned-politician Tito Sotto III has once again addressed the resurfacing of the rape allegations involving late actress Pepsi Paloma, following filmmaker Darryl Yap’s upcoming movie, The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.

During a recent senatorial interview, Sotto dismissed the long-standing controversy, attributing it to a publicity stunt orchestrated by Paloma’s late manager, Rey Dela Cruz.

“Alam ko ang pinagmulan niyan eh. It was a showbiz gimmick 42 years ago. Sa tagal-tagal ng panahon na walang problema sa brother ko [Vic Sotto], meron nang nakaisip bumaling. Baka pera ang usapan diyan or meron gustong siraan. ‘Yun lang ang pupuntahan niyan,” Sotto said.

(“I know how it started—it was a showbiz gimmick 42 years ago. My brother Vic Sotto never had any issues for a long time. But someone wanted to tarnish his image, possibly for money or to ruin his reputation. That was the cause.”)

Recently, the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 partially granted Vic Sotto’s petition for a writ of habeas data against Darryl Yap, ordering the director to remove the teaser video of the controversial film from all platforms

Amid the controversy, Vic Sotto remains composed, stating that he has nothing to worry about.

“I have a clean conscience, malinis ang pakiramdam ko, wala naman dapat ika-worry. Ma-stress ka lang kapag inisip mo e, so relax lang,” he said.

He also emphasized his faith in God in handling the situation.

“Hindi naman tayo bibigyan ng problema ng Panginoon kung hindi kayang ayusin (God won’t give us problems that we can’t handle),” he concluded