Former senate president and one of the original hosts of Eat Bulaga! Tito Sotto has debunked several claims made by TAPE Inc.’s (Television and Production Exponents) Chief Finance Officer–Mayor Bullet Jalosjos.
On April 19, Jalosjos came out in an interview with Boy Abunda on GMA Network’s Fast Talk with Boy Abunda to address the persistent rumors about the management struggle at Eat Bulaga! According to Jalosjos, there’s no truth to the rumors that Eat Bulaga! is rebranding without the original trio of Tito, Vic, and Joey.
The Dapitan City Mayor also denied speculations about TAPE Inc.’s financial woes resulting in delayed payment of its talents and the blocktime fee to GMA Network.
Sotto, however, refuted Jaloslos statements, saying most of them are inaccurate.
In an interview with News5’s MJ Marfori on April 25, Sotto negated most of the TAPE Inc. executives’ remarks pertaining to the issues surrounding Eat Bulaga!
“Isa sa mga board member ng TAPE nagpa-interview at yung mga sinabi nun, very inaccurate. Nagfuel ika nga ng hindi magandang response doon sa aming mga member ng Eat Bulaga.”
One of the issues contradicted by Sotto was TAPE Inc.’s salary debt to its talents, Vic and Joey.
“Sabi nila wala raw utang ang TAPE kay Vic at Joey (De Leon). Hindi tutoo ‘yun. Malaki ang utang. They owe Vic and Joy a big sum. If I’m not mistaken at least P30 million each ang kakulangan,” Sotto revealed.
Another inaccuracy pointed out by Sotto was the ownership rights to the Eat Bulaga! brand. Contrary to Jalosjos’ claim that TAPE owned Eat Bulaga!, Sotto said that Eat Bulaga! was conceptualized by the trio with the help of Tony Tuviera in 1979. It was only in 1981 that TAPE came into the picture to produce the noontime show.
“Ang TAPE producer. Hindi sila ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Ang ‘Eat Bulaga’ iba. Bakit kamo. Why am I saying this? In 1979, we started ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Joey invented the name. Vic and I agreed. Tony Tuviera agreed. Yun ang ginawa namin na it was produced by Production Specialist Incorporated. Pagkatapos ng ilang buwan, naubos and puhunan ng Production Specialist Incorporated. Ang TAPE pumasok lang noon 1981. Two years after at tumatakbo na ang ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Mali yung mga kinuwento kila Boy Abunda at Cristy (Fermin),” Sotto continued.
Sotto also shared that they have been in talks with other networks for a possible transfer of Eat Bulaga! should the management conflict not be resolved.
“That is a distinct possibility if they do not follow what we have agreed upon. Everything was going fine. Bigla na lang isang member ng board kung anu-ano ang sasabihin sa media. Hindi ko naman puwedeng ikaila na may ibang kumakausap sa akin talaga eh.”
