Former ‘Frontline Pilipinas’ sports presenter Mikee Reyes has set the record straight regarding accusations that he resigned from TV5 after receiving his 13th-month pay and Christmas bonus.
Reyes addressed the issue through a Facebook post on January 5, clarifying that as a contract-based talent, he was not eligible for such benefits.
“Skl, walang 13th month or Christmas bonus ang talent. Unless nasa contract nila na regular employee sila, per episode/project ang bayad. No work, no pay. Wala din kaming benefits,” Reyes wrote. He added that being a freelancer allowed him more freedom: “But this setup is perfect for us na ayaw nakatali.”
Reyes first announced his resignation in the same post, expressing gratitude to News5 for the “coolest year and a half.” His announcement sparked varying reactions from netizens, with some supporting his decision while others questioned his timing.
In his podcast Tito Thoughts episode titled “RESIGNED”, Reyes shared the reasons for his departure. Despite the rewarding experience at TV5, he explained that his daily schedule, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, left little time for his content creation work.
“It was painful, but I had to make a choice. I realized that time could be used to grow my brand and do what I’m really passionate about,” Reyes explained.
Reyes’ post also shed light on the differences between regular employees and freelance talents. The 13th-month pay, a mandatory benefit under Philippine law, applies to regular employees and must be paid before December 24. On the other hand, project-based talents like Reyes are paid per episode or project, without standard employment benefits unless explicitly stated in their contracts.
Despite the speculations surrounding his resignation, Reyes’ fans remain optimistic about his future ventures. Many expressed excitement for more content from him and his popular show ‘Shoot First’.
One comment summed up the sentiment: “Sana maging malaki rin akong content creator someday. Thanks for inspiring us, Tito Mikee.”
