Charles Teves
Filipino politician and entertainer Tito Sotto was a guest on the latest episode of ‘Updated with Nelson Canlas’. He provided explanations about various matters related to the current controversy affecting the long-running noontime program.
According to him, one of the corporation officers had been interviewed and the information was inaccurate.
“As a matter of fact, there were false statements that were made,” he added.
“So we would rather, and with the consent of Vic and Joey, that we would rather explain and elaborate or perhaps give light to what is true on some of these statements that were made. Iyon ang dahilan,” he added.
During his appearance on ‘Updated with Nelson Canlas’, Sotto recounted the background of ‘Eat Bulaga’ including the original producer Product Specialist Inc.’s financial losses, the show’s initial year of survival through TVJ and Tony Tuviera, and the eventual involvement of TAPE Inc. in 1981.
Additionally, Sotto discussed the financial patterns of the show, noting that January to March was typically difficult while the “-Ber months” were akin to a celebration.
He said that the show always recovered during “ups” and “downs”.
“Kaya we were always able to carry on. Kaya going back to one of your questions. Anong nangyari, bakit bigla? Ang sabi sa ‘min, nalulugi raw. Kailangan daw, baguhin ang nagpapatakbo. At kailangan daw i-reinvent ang Eat Bulaga, at mayroon daw mga portion na bored sila,” he continued.
According to Sotto, a meeting was held to tackle the issue, and they identified a solution and moved forward.
“Kaya okay na except lately, ika nga, hindi na let sleeping dogs lie. Lately, biglang a member of the board tells the media something else,” he said.
Sotto stated that TAPE owed a substantial amount of money to Vic and Joey, with a debt of over 30 million pesos for 2022 alone.
He also scrutinized TAPE’s finances, citing SEC documents that revealed a net profit of 213 million pesos for 2021. He also asked how the company could claim losses.
Moreover, he highlighted that 2022 is an election year. Sotto explained, “Ang laki ng utang kay Vic at kay Joey. Mahigit tig-30 million pesos ang utang sa kanila, for 2022 alone.”
He furthered, “SEC documents show that TAPE had a PHP213 million net profit in 2021. Paano kang nalugi? Ang political ads, nadagdag doon sa regular, at lumuwag na ang COVID. So iyong expect better than 2023 net profit na iyon ang ni-report mo.”
“But then again, we were informed that a little over 400 million pesos of political ads that were placed in Eat Bulaga, vanished,” he revealed.
When questioned about the money’s whereabouts, Sotto replied that it would be advisable to inquire with TAPE.
“I am disappointed, at the very least. I am disappointed at what’s happening. Lahat-lahat na,” he said.
The previous week, Bullet Jalosjos, the Chief Finance Officer of Television and Production Exponent (TAPE) Inc., the production company behind “Eat Bulaga,” was a guest on “Fast Talk” where he addressed various rumors related to the long-running noontime program.
“I want to assure everyone that we are financially stable. The company is okay. We’re doing good. We can pay for our talents. We can pay GMA so wala po tayong talagang problema when it comes to money,” Jalosjos said on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.”
Jalosjos denied the rumors claiming that Vic Sotto is owed 2 billion pesos and has not received payment for almost a year, stating that these reports are entirely false.
“That’s why maganda po talaga kung sana pwede rin makausap all the talents, maimbita natin sa show din to assure everyone that we are in good relations with the company and with the board, and tuloy-tuloy ang ligaya kay ‘Eat Bulaga,'” he said.
Jalosjos disclosed that there are no plans for a management takeover and that the board of directors only had to step in after some individuals retired.
Jalosjos explained, “Actually ang totoo niyan, wala naman pong takeover, it’s just that people have been retiring, si Tony Tuviera nag-retire na po starting in March and Tita Malou Fagar also, so it’s just right na pumasok na rin po ang board of directors sa kompanya.”
Jalosjos refuted the claims of the removal of the well-known trio from the show.
“Eat Bulaga cannot live without TVJ,” Jalosjos stated.
“We just want to assure the public and everyone else that we’re coming up with a…I can’t say new but more improved Eat Bulaga. I think we’re gonna be adding more shows, bigger prizes, and more exciting segments,” he concluded.
