Filmmaker Darryl Yap announced on his social media account that his film "The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma" will not be screening in cinemas as originally scheduled for February 5.
"Ipinaabot ko po sa lahat ng nakasubaybay na bigo po ang panig ng inyong lingkod na agarang makumpleto ang mga dokumentong hinihingi ng pamunuan ng MTRCB," Yap said in a Facebook post on Monday.
"Kaya’t imposible pong maipalabas sa mga sinehan ang ating Pelikula sa February 5," he added.
Earlier, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) refuted claims that the film is under review, explaining that the film's distributor and production team had failed to submit complete requirements.
Additionally, the review board pointed out that the Legal Affairs Division had requested the distributor to submit three specific documents: a Certificate or Clearance of No Pending Criminal, Civil, or Administrative Case from the Regional Trial Court, the Department of Justice, and the Office of the City Prosecutor.
With the film's screening pushed back, Yap's camp is looking into the possibility of an international release first or holding off the cinema debut in favor of focusing on streaming platforms.
Furthermore, in the comment section of Yap's post, he mentioned that the February and March dates for cinema screenings are already fully booked.
"Pero makakahanap lang kami ng available screening dates once ok na ang hinihinging karagdagang documents," he added.
Yap then assured the public that whatever decision their camp makes, it will be promptly communicated.
Previously, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205 granted the writ of habeas data filed by television host and actor Vic Sotto against Yap, ordering the removal of a film teaser that mentioned Sotto's name.
However, the court allowed Yap to proceed with the production and eventual release of the film.
