TVJ confirms they are leaving TAPE

Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon have confirmed that they are leaving TAPE Incorporated.

"Simula ngayong araw, May 31 2023, kami po ay magpapaalam na sa TAPE Incorporated," Vic said on the Facebook livestream of "Eat Bulaga."

"Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, hanggang sa muli."

"Eat Bulaga" aired a replay episode on Wednesday, but the hosts appeared on the Facebook livestream to say goodbye to the viewers.

"Pumasok po kaming lahat ngayong araw para makapagtrabaho, pero hindi po kami pinayagan ng new management na umere ng live," Tito said.

"July 30, 1979 po nang sinimulan namin ang Eat Bulaga. 44 years na po ito ngayong taon," he added.

Tito and Joey thanked all the advertisers and viewers who supported Eat Bulaga through the years.

In an episode of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" last month, TAPE chief financial officer and Dapitan Mayor Bullet Jalosjos addressed the speculations surrounding "Eat Bulaga." He said that TVJ would stay in the show.

"Kahit baliktarin natin, hindi talaga sila pwedeng mawala, and 'Eat Bulaga' can’t live without TVJ, and personally, I think, TVJ also cannot live without 'Eat Bulaga,'" Jalosjos said.

Shortly after, Tito and Vic broke their silence and aired their sides of the story.

"Masagwang pakinggan sa amin 'yung mare-retain kami," he said. "Para bang puwede kaming sipain, e kami nga ang 'Eat Bulaga.'"

Tito also said that TAPE owed Vic and Joey around P30 million each. Vic confirmed earlier this month that he already received his delayed talent fee for "Eat Bulaga."

—Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News