A young actor and a scion of a prominent artist and political family died after accidentally falling off the ninth floor of a residential building in Mandaluyong City, reports said yesterday.

Miko Sotto 21, was declared dead upon arrival at a hospital in the Manila suburb after he fell off the ninth floor balcony where he sat with his cousin, Vittorio "Oyo Boy" Sotto and two unnamed friends.

Police said initial investigations show that the death was accidental although initial radio reports cited welt marks around the victim's neck that point to the possibility of suicide.

Doctors said Sotto died from a massive skull fracture from the fall. The Sotto family had ruled out foul play. Miko is the son of radio commentator and singer Ali Sotto and Maru Sotto, the brother of Senator Vicente Sotto III and comedian Vic Sotto.

Sotto had become a TV fixture in recent years, with roles in youth oriented programme Click.