From left: Senator Tito Sotto III, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (Facebook)

It seems that the problem in "Eat Bulaga," the longest-running noontime program in the country, is far from over.

This was after former Senate President Tito Sotto revealed plans for the transfer of the show to another network if the problems and issues were not settled.

"That is a distinct possibility if they do not follow what we have agreed upon. Everything was going fine. Bigla na lang isang member ng board kung anu-ano ang sasabihin sa media. Hindi ko naman puwedeng ikaila na may ibang kumakausap sa akin talaga eh," said Sotto, one of the main hosts of the program, when asked about the possibility of transferring the show to another network, during an exclusive interview by broadcaster MJ Marfori for the news program "Frontline Pilipinas" on TV5 on April 25. (Suddenly a member of the board has something to say to the media. I can't deny that someone else is really talking to me.)

Sotto, one of the founding members of the 43-year-old show, admitted he didn't like what Dapitan Mayor Bullet Jalosjos, Chief Finance Officer of Television and Production Exponents Philippines (TAPE) Inc., said about "Eat Bulaga" in recent interviews.

"Isa sa mga board member ng TAPE nagpa-interview at yung mga sinabi nun, very inaccurate. Nagfuel ika nga ng hindi magandang response doon sa aming mga member ng Eat Bulaga," the former Senate president said.

(One of the board members of TAPE gave an interview and what he said was very inaccurate. It resulted in a bad response there among our members of Eat Bulaga.)

Sotto also said that TAPE boss Tony Tuviera was forced to retire, adding that TAPE still allegedly owes "Bulaga" co-hosts Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon big sum of money.

"Sabi nila wala raw utang ang TAPE kay Vic at Joey (De Leon). Hindi tutoo 'yun. Malaki ang utang. They owe Vic and Joy a big sum. If I'm not mistaken at least P30 million each ang kakulangan," he revealed.

It was reported that Tito and Joey were also trying to prevent Vic from talking about the issue.

"Ang nirereklamo ni Vic sa amin is tinatanggalan siya ng VAT pero hindi niya natatanggap yung supposed na sahod," Sotto also said.

Sotto also belied reports that the noontime show was losing money, according to an earlier statement of Jalosjos.

"Hindi puwede. Remember election year yun. Campaign period yun at ang campaign ads ay napakarami. So nakakapagtaka. So sana sagutin ng TAPE kung ano talaga ang nangyari. Meron talagang P400 million na political ads that vanished. I said vanished because I didn't know where it went," he added.

Sotto also said that TAPE does not own the right to "Eat Bulaga," currently being aired on GMA Network.

"Ang TAPE producer. Hindi sila 'Eat Bulaga.' Ang 'Eat Bulaga' iba. Bakit kamo. Why am I saying this? In 1979, we started 'Eat Bulaga.' Joey invented the name. Vic and I agreed. Tony Tuviera agreed. Yun ang ginawa namin na it was produced by Production Specialist Incorporated. Pagkatapos ng ilang buwan, naubos and puhunan ng Production Specialist Incorporated. Ang TAPE pumasok lang noon 1981. Two years after at tumatakbo na ang 'Eat Bulaga.' Mali yung mga kinuwento kila Boy Abunda at Cristy (Fermin)," the actor-politician said.

Bullet, son of Romeo Jalosjos, said their family owns 70 percent of the company that produces "Eat Bulaga" while Tony owns 20 percent.

The mayor has yet to respond to the fresh statements of the senator.