In a bombshell development that’s shaking up Philippine showbiz, TAPE Inc. — the former home of the iconic noontime show Eat Bulaga! — is now facing serious legal action from none other than GMA Network, with accusations of estafa (fraud) and millions in unpaid obligations making headlines across the country!

According to reliable insider reports and legal documents beginning to surface, GMA Network has formally filed charges against the production company, alleging that TAPE Inc. committed contractual violations and financial misconduct during its long-standing partnership with the Kapuso network.

The Core of the Scandal: Missing Funds and Broken Deals

At the center of the controversy is the alleged failure of TAPE Inc. to remit rightful payments and fulfill financial responsibilities to GMA during the broadcast of Eat Bulaga! under their production. Sources close to the matter claim that millions of pesos are involved, with a staggering amount of unsettled dues, unaccounted revenues, and even misrepresentation in contractual dealings.

“This is not just a simple misunderstanding — this is about trust being broken at the corporate level,” said one GMA executive, requesting anonymity.

The TVJ Effect: A Turning Point That Shook TAPE to Its Core

The explosive exit of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ) from Eat Bulaga! in mid-2023 marked a devastating blow to TAPE Inc.’s stability. As the trio took their loyal audience — and the soul of the program — with them, TAPE’s ratings plummeted, advertising revenues dried up, and production costs reportedly became unsustainable.

Since then, whispers of mounting debt, unpaid employees, and desperate negotiations have plagued TAPE’s management. Now, with a full-blown estafa case coming from GMA itself, the situation appears to have gone from bad to catastrophic.

GMA’s Bold Move: Protecting Its Brand and Interests

GMA Network, known for its professionalism and strong legal arm, is said to be determined to protect its name, finances, and credibility. Filing charges of estafa — a serious criminal offense under Philippine law — signals the network’s intent to pursue accountability at the highest level.

“They owe us more than just money. They owe us transparency and truth. We will not let this pass,” a senior GMA official reportedly stated.

TAPE Inc. in Crisis: No Official Statement Yet

As of writing, TAPE Inc. has not released a formal response, and top executives have reportedly gone silent. Rumors are circulating that internal leadership is in chaos, with finger-pointing, blame games, and urgent meetings now the daily routine.

Some former staff members allege that salaries and benefits have been delayed for months — while production insiders hint that even basic operational costs are becoming harder to cover.

Public Reaction: “Karma Is Real!” or “Give Them a Chance”?

Filipino netizens are deeply divided:

“This is karma for letting go of TVJ!” one fan posted.

“TAPE thought they could carry the brand without the real legends. Now look what happened,” said another.

Others, however, argue that a proper investigation must take place before drawing conclusions.

What’s Next?

With legal proceedings underway and public interest at an all-time high, this estafa case could become one of the most sensational showbiz-business scandals of the decade. If proven guilty, TAPE Inc. executives could face heavy penalties, imprisonment, and a permanent stain on their legacy.

Meanwhile, TVJ has flourished in their new home at TV5, continuing to lead E.A.T. with strong ratings and unwavering fan support — in stark contrast to the decline of the entity they left behind.

One thing is clear: the downfall of TAPE Inc. is no longer just about TV. It’s about trust, money, and the price of losing the very heartbeat of a legacy show.

Stay tuned — because this drama is just beginning, and the final episode could be the most explosive one yet.

TAPE execs slapped with nearly P38M estafa charges by GMA
Over a year after its noontime blocktime show “Tahanang Pinamasaya” went off-air, Television and Production Exponents, Inc. (TAPE) and its executives are facing a criminal complaint filed by GMA Network for allegedly misusing nearly ₱38-million in advertising revenues.

The complaint, lodged before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City, charges the TAPE officers with estafa through abuse of confidence.

In its official statement on Thursday, GMA said that the funds amounting to ₱37,941,352.56 were not remitted despite repeated demands and were instead used for TAPE’s operating expenses, allegedly violating the terms of the trust arrangement.

“The complaint stems from respondents’ failure to remit advertising revenues collected from clients, which had been contractually assigned to GMA Network under a 2023 Assignment Agreement,” read the statement in part. “GMA Network is pursuing legal action to hold the responsible officers accountable and to recover the misappropriated amount,” the network’s statement further read.

Named in the complaint are former TAPE president and CEO Romeo Jalosjos, Jr., chairman Romeo Jalosjos, Sr., treasurer Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos, current CEO Malou Choa-Fagar, former SVP for Finance Michaela Magtoto, and finance consultant Zenaida Buenavista.

GMA is seeking to hold the TAPE executives accountable and recover the full amount through legal action.

INQUIRER.net reached out to TAPE but has yet to receive a statement as of this writing.

TAPE, GMA, and ‘Eat Bulaga’
The complaint came more than a year after the noontime show “Tahanang Pinamakasaya,” which TAPE put up as a replacement for “Eat Bulaga,” went off air after just nine months in operation.

TAPE was forced to come up with a new title for its noontime blocktime slot after the Court of Appeals ruled that comedic trio Tito and Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ) are the rightful owners of the trademark of “Eat Bulaga.”

TVJ had then just resigned from TAPE due to management issues, and together with the rest of the “Eat Bulaga” cast, eventually transferred to TV5. At the time, TVJ reiterated that they had no ill feelings towards GMA and that their issues were only with the Jalosjos-led company.

Meanwhile, “Tahanang Pinakamasaya” hosts led by Isko Moreno and Paolo Contis continued to helm the show on GMA.

As of May 2025, TVJ’s “Eat Bulaga!” continues to air on TV5, while TAPE’s “Tahanang Pinamakasaya” concluded its original programming in March 2024 due to low ratings.