TAPE Inc. was told to respond to GMA’s complaint
The executives of Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc) were ordered to appear for mediation in the estafa complaint filed by GMA Network.
TAPE has been in partnership with GMA for many years. The entertainment company owned by Romy Jalosjos and is now being managed by his children has done shows for the Kapuso network, and the most popular of this was Eat Bulaga.
However, the Jalosjos family also had a conflict with TVJ (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon.) In their legal battle, the court sided with the iconic trio, and the right to use the Eat Bulaga title was given to them.
Almost a year after TAPE Inc.’s noontime show Tahanang Pinakamasaya stopped airing on GMA, the TV network started a legal battle against the entertainment company.
GMA filed a P37.9 million estafa complaint against TAPE. Along with this issue, reports surfaced that the Jalosjos-owned company also has debt to the hosts of Tahanang Pinakamasaya because their talent fees for more than a month weren’t given to them.
Based on the article in Inquirer, the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has issued a subpoena ordering TAPE Inc. to appear for mediation sessions in relatioin to the case filed by GMA.
It was stated that respondents Romeo Jalosjos Jr., Romeo Jalosjos Sr., Seth Frederick P. Jalosjos, Michael N. Magtoto, Zenaida Buenavista, and Malou Choa-Fagar are ordered to attend the scheduled mandatory mediation conferences.
The document stated, “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.“
It is part of the standard legal process under Department Circular No. 031 s. 2023. This intends to resolve the disputes using other options or ways before proceeding to formal preliminary investigation.
The subpoena was dated May 5, 2025. Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, the legal counsel of TAPE, said that they only received the subpoena on May 23. This was after the first scheduled mediation session.
“Mediation must be May 22 and 29 but TAPE only received the copy of the summons with attached complaint on May 23. So they can only attend on May 29 mediation schedule,” the lawyer said in a chat message.