Netizens Recall Pepsi Paloma Case as TVJ Resignation Date Sparks Controversy

While thousands of netizens continue to discuss the resignation of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon from TAPE Inc., a Twitter user reignited a decades-old controversy by pointing out an unsettling coincidence about the date of their departure.

In a now-viral post, netizen @mark_taimiklang noted that TVJ’s resignation was announced on May 31, the same date as the tragic passing of former actress Pepsi Paloma in 1985.

“Coincidence?” the netizen asked, sparking widespread online discussions.

Pepsi Paloma was a rising star in the 1980s when she accused Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Richie D’Horsie of sexually assaulting her in 1982. The allegations shook the entertainment industry, and Tito Sotto, then a prominent figure in the trio’s circle, intervened as their lawyer.

A Case That Rocked the Nation

According to a report in People’s Journal dated October 13, 1982, the accused trio issued a public apology to Pepsi, which read:
“We hope that you will not allow the error we have committed against you to stand as a stumbling block to that future which we all look forward to. We, therefore, ask you to find it in your heart to pardon us for the wrong which we have done against you.”

Pepsi eventually withdrew the case. However, the apology and subsequent events did little to erase the controversy.

In 1985, Pepsi was found lifeless in her apartment, with reports citing personal problems as the reason behind her tragic demise. Despite the official ruling of suicide, speculations and conspiracy theories have persisted for decades.

Revival of an Urban Legend

The case gained renewed attention in the late 1990s with the release of the Eraserheads’ song Spoliarium. Fans speculated that the haunting track alluded to Pepsi’s ordeal and the alleged cover-up surrounding her death. Ely Buendia, the band’s former frontman, later denied these claims, asserting that the song was not connected to the actress’s case.

A Tense Coincidence

The announcement of TVJ’s departure on the anniversary of Pepsi’s death has led many to revisit this dark chapter in Philippine showbiz history. Critics have called out the trio for never fully addressing the allegations, while others argue that the coincidence is purely incidental.

The timing of the resignation has once again put a spotlight on a case that continues to haunt those involved and intrigue the public. Whether the connection was deliberate or coincidental, it has added another layer of intrigue to an already controversial issue.

As discussions surrounding TVJ’s next steps unfold, so too does the public’s renewed interest in the mystery and legacy of Pepsi Paloma.