QUEZON CITY – Television and Production Exponent (TAPE) Inc.’s legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, set the record straight and dispelled speculations about the alleged plans of the production company to transfer Eat Bulaga from GMA to ALLTV network, expressing its sincere effort to ensure job security among its over 160 employees.
Abraham-Garduque emphasized that there is “no need and reason” for the noontime show to leave GMA—Eat Bulaga’s home for nearly 28 years—since it has an existing block-time agreement with the said network, which is yet to expire in 2025.
Rumors about Eat Bulaga’s departure from GMA started to circulate when TAPE Inc.’s chief finance officer, Bullet Jalosjos, shared a photo of himself together with Senator Mark Villar, son of business tycoon and owner of the ALLTV media company, during the latter’s birthday.
In response, TAPE Inc.’s legal counsel exclaimed that there is “no basis for such speculation that said birthday greeting will be tantamount to intention to transfer to ALLTV.”
She also revealed that Camella Homes, a residential housing brand founded by the Villars, is the primary sponsor of Eat Bulaga’s ‘May Pa-Key Kami Sayo’ segment, wherein contestants have a chance to win the house-and-lot prize.
Amid Eat Bulaga’s network transfer controversies and ongoing legal dispute with Tito and Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon, collectively known as TVJ, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) still issued TAPE Inc.’s Certificate of Renewal of Registration for the “Eat Bulaga” and “EB” trademarks and logos.
“Hindi lang sa patuloy na pagbibigay ng tulong at saya sa manonood…The certificate of registration of EB was also worth renewing para sa more than 160 employees ng TAPE Inc. working for Eat Bulaga,” Abraham-Garduque pointed out. She also mentioned how the non-renewal of Eat Bulaga’s trademarks could have potentially harmed the livelihood of those who chose to stay with TAPE Inc. during the TVJ fallout.
Abraham-Garduque, however, clarified that only 20% of its employees left the company when the controversial trio resigned. Thus, 80% of its crew stuck to their job, some of whom have been with TAPE Inc. for many years and are still happy to stay.
Moving forward, TAPE Inc. promises to continue treating their employees and workers with utmost care and respect to ensure their happiness and help them realize their full potential.
“We can’t expect our show to bring joy to others when we know that the people working in front of the camera or those behind the scenes are suffering. We’re a real family here in Eat Bulaga—the Tahanang Pinakamasaya—and we always do our best to take care of everyone,” Abraham-Garduque said. – PR
