Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, GMA senior VP, made clear why they didn't do anything regarding the issue involving Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon and Television and Production Exponents Inc. or TAPE.
She told "24 Oras," "Hands off ang GMA diyan kasi it was an internal issue between TVJ and TAPE, Inc, so, wala naman talaga kaming alam about those issues...It wasn't right for us na makialam.”
As to rumors that they are siding with TAPE, she said, “From the start wala talagang kinampihan ang GMA dito. Katulad nga ng sinabi ko it was their internal issue, it’s a corporate issue.”
Earlier, GMA issued a statement expressing sadness over the trio eventually cutting ties with TAPE.
According to Gozon-Valdes, the statement was meant to clear the air relating their stand on the matter.
“Ang contract kasi ng GMA is with TAPE, wala kaming contract with TVJ as talents or kasama ng TAPE. Ang contract na ito ay isang blocktime agreement na ang ibig sabihin no’n ay parang umuupa sila ng timeslot sa GMA. Binabayaran nila tayo ng upa at para sila ‘yung laman ng noontime slot ng Monday to Saturday. Kung ano ‘yung laman (kontrata) no’n, wala tayong kinalaman do’n. In fact nasa contract nila na they can change hosts, they can reformat, and this contract was negotiated by Mr. (Antonio) Tuviera pa ang nag-negotiate ng time na ‘yun. We have to honor the contract as long as there is no breach of its provision kasi iba ang contract, eh, it has legal consequences."
As to the trio ending their association with TAPE and GMA consequently, Gozon-Valdes reiterated, "It was beyond our control. Kung may control lang tayo o kung may say tayo sa mangyayari siyempre hindi natin sila papakawalan... pipigilan natin sila. Susubukin nating gawin ang lahat para mag-stay sila sa atin.”