In the GMA vs TAPE estafa complaint, the execs of the latter were told to appear for mediation.
GMA vs TAPE ESTAFA COMPLAINT – The Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City issued a subpoena to the executives of TAPE.
Previously, the GMA Network, Inc. has taken legal action against several top executives of the Television and Production Exponents, Inc. (TAPE). GMA filed an estafa complaint with abuse of confidence involving ₱37,941,352.56 in advertising revenues.
On May 22, the GMA confirmed that the complaint had been filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City. In the complaint, TAPE execs were accused of misappropriating funds. Based on a 2023 Assignment Agreement, the funds were contractually assigned to GMA Network, however, those were allegedly redirected for TAPE Inc.’s operational use instead.
The complaint named the following respondents:
- Romeo Jalosjos, Jr. – Former President and CEO
- Romeo Jalosjos, Sr. – Chairman of the Board
- Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos – Treasurer
- Malou Choa-Fagar – Former COO, now current President and CEO
- Michaela Magtoto – Former Senior Vice President for Finance
- Zenaida Buenavista – Finance Consultant
Multiple formal demands were made, but the advertising funds were not remitted by TAPE as agreed, which constituted a breach of trust. TAPE reacted to the estafa complaint, and they were reportedly unaware of this. They confirmed the complaint, and this did not exist when they checked it at the office of the city prosecutor.
Recently, a subpoena was issued, and it directed the executives of TAPE to attend mandatory mediation conferences regarding the said complaint. The subpoena read that “failure to attend the mandatory mediation conferences will serve as a waiver of your right under the said Department Circular and the conduct of preliminary investigation shall proceed accordingly.”
The mediation conferences were scheduled on May 22 and May 29, but TAPE was not able to attend on May 22 as, according to TAPE’s legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, they only received the copy of the subpoena on May 23.
“On May 22, TAPE just learned of the complaint via news and when we checked the docket section ng [Office of the City Prosecutor], wala daw po. Then, May 23, TAPE received the subpoena for mediation kaya hindi sila naka-attend,” she told GMA News Online via text message.
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