GMA Network, nagsampa ng kasong Estafa Laban sa mga Opisyal ng TAPE Inc. dahil sa P37.9M na Pondo

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Isang matinding hakbang ang isinampa ng GMA Network Inc. laban sa mga opisyal ng Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) matapos umano'y maling paggamit ng pondo na umaabot sa halagang ₱37,941,352.56.

Ayon sa opisyal na pahayag ng GMA, ang reklamo ay isinampa sa Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City. Sa reklamo, pinangalanan ang mga sumusunod bilang mga respondent:

Romeo Jalosjos Jr. (dating President at CEO)

Romeo Jalosjos Sr. (Chairman of the Board)

Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos (Treasurer)

Malou Choa-Fagar (dating COO at kasalukuyang President at CEO)

Michaela Magtoto (dating Senior Vice President for Finance)

Zenaida Buenavista (Finance Consultant)

Credits: GMA Network

Batay sa reklamo, nabigo ang TAPE na i-remit ang advertising revenues na kanilang nakolekta mula sa mga advertisers nito — pondo na ayon sa 2023 Assignment Agreement ay nakalaan para sa GMA Network. Sa kabila ng paulit-ulit na pormal na kahilingan, hindi pa rin nai-transfer ang nasabing halaga sa GMA, at sa halip ay ginamit umano ito ng TAPE para sa kanilang operational expenses.

Ito ay malinaw na paglabag sa kasunduan at isang uri ng estafa with abuse of confidence.

Ayon sa GMA Network, layunin ng legal na hakbang na ito na panagutin ang mga sangkot at mabawi ang nawawalang pondo bilang bahagi ng kanilang commitment sa transparency at accountability.

> “GMA Network is pursuing legal action to hold the responsible officers accountable and to recover the misappropriated amount.”

Sa ngayon, wala pang opisyal na pahayag mula sa panig ng TAPE Inc.

EAT BULAGA, MULING INILUNSAD ANG “ISANG LAPIS, ISANG PAPEL PROJECT”

Isang makabuluhang proyekto ang muling binuhay ng longest-running noontime show na Eat Bulaga! sa pagdiriwang ng kaarawan ni Vic Sotto—ang “Isang Lapis, Isang Papel Project.”

Ginulat ng Dabarkads ang publiko sa pagbabalik ng proyektong ito na layong magbigay ng mga pangunahing gamit pang-eskwela tulad ng lapis, papel, notebook, at iba pa sa mga batang mag-aaral na kapos sa kagamitan. Isang patunay ito na ang tunay na diwa ng pagtutulungan at malasakit ay buhay na buhay pa rin sa puso ng bawat Pilipino.

Ang muling paglulunsad ng proyekto ay isinabay sa masayang selebrasyon ng kaarawan ni Bossing Vic, na kilala hindi lang sa kanyang husay bilang artista kundi pati sa kanyang walang sawang pagtulong sa kapwa.

Paano Ka Makakatulong?

Maaaring magpadala ng mga donasyon tulad ng lapis, papel, notebook, crayons, at iba pang school supplies sa:

TV5 Media Center

TVJ Studio

Reliance Street, Mandaluyong City

Bawat padala ay may katumbas na pag-asa para sa isang batang nangangarap makapag-aral at makamit ang magandang kinabukasan.

Bakit Mahalaga Ito?

Sa panahon ngayon, maraming magulang ang hirap makabili ng mga gamit sa paaralan para sa kanilang mga anak. Sa tulong ng Isang Lapis, Isang Papel Project, sama-sama tayong nagbibigay ng bagong simula at inspirasyon sa libo-libong kabataan sa buong bansa.

Isang Lapis, Isang Papel—Isang Kinabukasang Mas Maliwanag

Ang proyekto ay paalala na kahit simpleng bagay ay maaaring maging daan sa pagbabago. Isang lapis man o isang papel lang, kapag pinagsama-sama, ay maaaring makapagbigay liwanag sa daan ng mga batang nangangarap.

What Really Happened During the ABS-CBN Shutdown on May 5, 2020 at 7:52 PM

On May 5, 2020, at exactly 7:52 PM, history was made when ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ largest television network, signed off from free-to-air broadcast following a cease and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). This moment was not only a significant event in the Philippine entertainment industry, but it also sparked debates on press freedom, government influence, and the future of media in the country.

The Reason Behind the Shutdown

ABS-CBN’s 25-year legislative franchise expired on May 4, 2020. The next day, May 5, the NTC issued a cease and desist order, citing the expiration of the network's franchise. Despite pending bills in Congress to renew it, ABS-CBN was instructed to immediately stop its TV and radio broadcasting operations nationwide.

The shutdown was unprecedented. For decades, ABS-CBN had been a household name, providing news, entertainment, and public service programs to millions of Filipinos across the archipelago.

The Final Moments on Air

At exactly 7:52 PM on May 5, ABS-CBN’s Channel 2 ended its broadcast with a poignant news report delivered by TV Patrol anchors. The final moments featured the Philippine national anthem, a statement from the network, and a black screen that marked the end of an era.

Impact on the Industry and the Public

The shutdown caused a massive ripple effect:

11,000 employees were affected, with many eventually losing their jobs.

Viewers, especially in far-flung areas with limited access to digital or cable TV, lost a major source of information and entertainment.

Rival networks had to fill the content void, but none had ABS-CBN's nationwide reach.

The event drew condemnation from press freedom advocates locally and globally, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch.

The Franchise Renewal Controversy

Although franchise renewal bills had been filed as early as 2016, they languished in Congress. Many believed the delay was politically motivated, especially after President Rodrigo Duterte publicly criticized the network multiple times due to alleged unfair election ad practices.

In July 2020, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the network's application for a new franchise, effectively keeping it off the air for good—at least on free TV.

ABS-CBN After the Shutdown

Despite losing its traditional platforms, ABS-CBN pivoted to digital:

Launched Kapamilya Online Live on Facebook and YouTube

Partnered with other networks such as TV5 and A2Z for content airing

Expanded their streaming platforms and digital initiatives, keeping their brand alive

Conclusion

The ABS-CBN Shutdown was more than just a business closure—it was a moment that questioned the state of press freedom in the Philippines. Even today, it remains a stark reminder of how fragile media institutions can be under political pressure.