Tito Sotto during the “HARAPAN 2025” interview. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN News For the first time since the issue on the rape of the late sexy actress Pepsi Paloma resurfaced, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III blamed the matter on gimmick mounted by her former talent manager, Rey dela Cruz, now deceased. At ABS-CBN’s senatorial interview Harapan 2025, Sotto was asked about why the Pepsi Paloma issue involving his younger brother, Vic Sotto, won’t die down, and how he thought it could impact his senate reelection bid.
“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,” he 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. And there was one who wanted to taint his image.
Maybe it’s due to money or they want to ruin his reputation. That was the cause.) According to Sotto, dela Cruz had wanted to get back at his family for an unpaid TV guesting for his talent.
Sotto, as well as Vic, and Joey de Leon form the comedy triumvirate now known as TVJ, who host the longest running noontime show, “Eat Bulaga.” At the time, the show was being produced by TAPE Inc., with which they had a falling out in 2023.
“Sa amin, matagal na naming binasura. Sapagkat, al.