GMA Network’s Senior Vice President, Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes has addressed the ongoing issue between TAPE Inc. and Eat Bulaga’s TVJ, clarifying that the network remains neutral and does not take sides.
In an interview conducted by Senior News Correspondent Nelson Canlas on June 2, Gozon-Valdes emphasized that she does not favor TVJ or TAPE Inc., and she has no control over Eat Bulaga’s hosts’ decision to leave TAPE Inc.
“It was beyond our control, kung may control lang tayo, kung may say tayo sa mga nangyayari, siyempre hindi natin sila papakawalan, pipigilan natin sila, susubukan nating gawin ang lahat para mag-stay sila sa atin kaya lang, sa totoo, hands-off ang GMA diyan, it’s an internal issue between TVJ and TAPE Inc.,” Gozon-Valdes explained.
She further stated that from the very beginning, GMA Network has not taken sides in the dispute. She emphasizes that it is an internal matter that has nothing to do with the network.
“From the start wala talagang kinampihan ang GMA dito, katulad nga ng sinabi ko, it was their internal issue, it wasn’t a corporate issue.”
She added, “Para siguro mas maintindihan ng mga tao, ang contract kasi ng GMA is with TAPE, wala kaming contract with TVJ as talent or as kasama ng TAPE. Ang contract na ito ay isang block time agreement ang ibig sabihin nito ay parang umuupa sila ng noontime slot sa atin, sa GMA.”
It is worth noting that Vic Sotto, Tito Sotto, and Joey de Leon announced on May 31 that ‘Eat Bulaga!’ would be leaving TAPE Inc. On the same day, Tito Sotto revealed that the new TAPE management prevented them from airing a live show. This was despite arriving to perform their regular work.
Atty. Gozon-Valdes assured us that the relationship between GMA and TAPE Inc., as well as with Eat Bulaga hosts, will remain unchanged. In fact, she stated that GMA’s doors are open for hosts to leave Eat Bulaga if they so choose.
“I fervently believe that it won’t change because iba naman ang GMA, iba naman ang TAPE. Labas ang GMA sa issues nila with TAPE. Hindi naman sila umalis ng GMA, sa totoo umalis lang sila dun sa show na pinoproduce ng TAPE,” Gozon-Valdes said.
Eat Bulaga is a popular noontime variety show in the Philippines that premiered on January 28, 1995. Produced by TAPE Inc. and aired on GMA Network, the show is currently transferring to TV5, sources indicate.
Currently, other hosts of Eat Bulaga still have contracts with GMA. Vic Sotto hosts the GMA program Open 24/7, while Jose Manalo serves as one of the judges in the highly anticipated ‘Battle of the Judges’. Despite the controversy between TVJ and TAPE Inc., supporters of the three main hosts will continue to eagerly await the next episode of Eat Bulaga. This will be on a different network and under different management.
