GMA Network has officially turned down the settlement offer made by Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc., citing that the proposed amount was insufficient to resolve the ₱37.9 million estafa complaint filed by the network.
According to a report by Mel Tiangco on ’24 Oras’ on June 11, the two parties met for mediation at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, but no agreement was reached. GMA Network’s legal team maintained that the network is intent on recovering the full amount owed.
“We want to collect the amount that was misappropriated. The amount that should have been given to GMA but was not remitted by the officers of TAPE,” said GMA legal counsel Atty. Lynn Delfin. “We have been waiting for the remittance of the ad revenues. Unfortunately, despite repeated demands, hindi nabigay sa atin ‘yun.”
GMA Network’s estafa complaint, filed in May, alleges that TAPE Inc. violated a 2023 Assignment Agreement by failing to remit advertising revenues assigned to GMA Network. Instead, TAPE allegedly used the funds—totaling ₱37,941,352.56—for its own operational expenses, a breach of trust and contract.
TAPE, known as the former producer of ‘Eat Bulaga!’ and the now-defunct ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’, did not deny the existence of the debt. Atty. Maggie Garduque, representing TAPE, acknowledged: “I think TAPE naman is not denying that there’s collectibles to the corporation. Maybe the main contention only is whether it’s civil or criminal.”
Although the meeting ended without a resolution, both sides expressed openness to further discussions.
“We have been saying din naman that management is open to listen and to see what offer they have. And if it’s reasonable, we can decide on what to do about it,” said Atty. Delfin.
Atty. Garduque added, “Under the rules, yung mediation kasi is also dependent on the complainant if they are willing or open for settlement. So, in this particular case, maganda na nalaman natin on the part of GMA that they are open for settlement.”
With no settlement reached, the case will now be re-raffled to another prosecutor who will proceed with the preliminary investigation.
