After 44 years, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon announced that they would finally leave Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc.)
In their statement, TVJ said that they were not allowed by Tape Inc. to air today, May 31 for still unknown reasons.
They only made a live video posted on social media to announce that they would part ways with TAPE which is owned by the Jalosjos family.
“Pumasok po kaming lahat ngayong araw para magtrabaho pero hindi po kami pinayagan ng new management na umere ng live,” Tito said.
“July 30, 1979 po, nang simulan namin ang Eat Bulaga.. 44 years na po ito ngayong taon. Kaya naman lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa mga naging tahanan namin – ang RPN9 for 9 years, ABS-CBN for 6 years at ang GMA for 28 years.” Joey stated.
“Salamat din sa lahat ng advertisers mula 1979 na nagmahal, nagtiwala at sumuporta sa amin.” Vic remarked.
Tito also thanked Tony Tuviera for being part of Eat Bulaga for many years.
Vic then finally announced their major decision that might end GMA Network’s domination in noontime show ratings.
“Ito po siguro ang pinakamahirap na desisyon na ginawa namin simula 1979. Hindi na po namin isa isa hin pa ang laman ng aming puso. Ang hangad lang po namin ay makapagtrabaho ng mapayapa, walang inaagrabyado at may respeto sa bawat isa.” Vic said.
“Simula ngayong araw, May 31, 2023, kami po ay nagpapaalam na sa TAPE INCORPORATION. Karangalan po namin na kami’y nakapaghatid ng tuwa’t saya mula Batanes hanggang Jolo at naging bahagi ng buhay niyo. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Hanggang sa muli.
LOOK: Eat Bulaga’s main hosts former Senator Tito Sotto, Joey De Leon and Vic Sotto confirm that they are leaving the new management of TAPE, May 31.
According to the trio, the new management did not allow them to have a live show today. | @EatBulaga pic.twitter.com/XIOBcS9QeL
— ALTStarMagic 💫 (@AltStarMagic) May 31, 2023
“Saan man kami dalhin ng tadhana, tuloy ang isang libo’t isang tuwa,” he added.
As of writing TAPE Inc. has yet to give any statement to the decision of TVJ and other Eat Bulaga hosts.
Eat Bulaga only aired a taped episode today.
It can be recalled that for many months, it was already rumored that there was an internal issue between the executives and hosts of Eat Bulaga.
It was reported that the Jalosjos family wanted to replace some of the production team of Eat Bulaga, including Tuviera.
Some hosts also complained about unpaid talent fees worth millions of pesos.