MANILA — Vic Sotto and filmmaker Darryl Yap met in court on Friday morning for the hearing of the writ of habeas data petitioned by the actor-host’s camp.

This was the first time that both personalities were present in the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, 8 days after Sotto filed 19 counts of cyber libel against the director.

The case stemmed from what Sotto described as "malicious and defamatory statements" in the first teaser of Yap's film "The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma". It was posted January 1 and immediately went viral after mentioning Sotto and connecting him to the late '80s star Pepsi Paloma.

He sought the issuance of a writ of habeas data last January 7, which if granted by the court, would order Yap to take down or rectify portions of the teaser that Sotto's camp contested.

Vic Sotto: 'I have a clean conscience' 

Yap arrived at the court at past 8 a.m.

“I'm not really a morning person and I'm not allowed to say anything,” he told the media when asked about the case.

Sotto arrived shortly afterwards and was accompanied by his wife Pauleen Luna and his lawyer.

“Sorry ha, hindi puwede magsalita," he said, when asked for his thoughts about the case.

The Muntinlupa court has issued a gag order in connection with the case. 

Court rejects Darryl Yap's bid to consolidate Vic Sotto's complaint, writ petition

Yap said he was optimistic that his film would still be shown in cinemas as scheduled.

"I'm okay, I'm still finishing the movie," he said.

He did not comment when asked if he would change the title of the film initially scheduled for release in February.