Comedian Vice Ganda finally reacted to the issue between Eat Bulaga Dabarkads and Television and Production Exponents Inc., which shaped the competition on free television.
In his vlog, Vice, the primary host of Eat Bulaga’s long-time competitor ‘It’s Showtime,’ said that their show was affected by the issue that resulted in them leaving TV5.
It can be recalled that the former Eat Bulaga hosts led by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon left TAPE Inc. and GMA Network on May 31, 2023, and decided their transfer to TV5.
TV5 then decided to give their noontime slot to the upcoming new TVJ show, resulting in Vice’s show leaving the network.
According to the comedian, they didn’t imagine that TVJ would leave GMA Network after decades of staying there.
“Tayo ‘yung casualty nung naging problema ng TVJ at saka nung Eat Bulaga. Sabi ko, ‘Parang tayo ‘yung tinamaan ng mga kanyon na ibinala nila.’ ‘Yun ang unang naging damdamin namin.” Vice said.
“Kasi nung una, ‘di ba, okay naman sila do’n, okay din naman kami, ‘di ba? Parang, ‘Okay na tayo dito.’ Kasi kung hindi naman sila nag-away, e ‘di buo pa rin sana sila. May kontrata pa naman sila sa GMA hanggang next year, ‘di ba? Pero dahil hindi sila nagkasundo, nagkahiwalay.” he added.
However, Vice said that he understood that TVJ and other Eat Bulaga hosts needed a new home, but at the same time, their competitors, including ‘It’s Showtime’, were affected by the decision made by the legendary trio.
He also believed that the situation was beyond their control, so they decided to just transfer to GMA Network.
‘”Yung mga naging desisyon nila, malaking-malaki ang naging epekto sa amin na nananahimik, ‘di ba? Pero hindi rin namin pwedeng sisihin ang TVJ dahil lahat naman kami, gusto lang magtrabaho. Lahat naman kami, may ipinaglalabang bahay. Lahat kami, may ipinaglalabang programa. Lahat kami, may ipinaglalabang audience na gustong pagsilbihan.” he stated.
“Wala tayong magagawa. Tatanggapin natin ‘yon. Hindi man masyadong pabor sa atin [na palitan ng TVJ sa 12:00 slot, but] again, hindi natin pwede ‘yung i-take against them kasi nagtatrabaho lang din naman sila.” he added.