Court orders Anjo Yllana to pay P3.5 million in damages in TVJ case
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Mandaluyong City, Branch 279, has ruled in favor of TVJ Productions, Inc., granting its petition for a permanent injunction against former "Eat Bulaga" host Anjo Yllana and ordering him to pay a total of P3.5 million in damages.
In its decision dated Tuesday, the court awarded TVJ Productions P1 million in temperate damages, P1 million in moral damages, P1 million in exemplary damages, and P500,000 in attorney's fees and litigation expenses.
The court also permanently enjoined Yllana, along with his agents, representatives, and anyone acting on his behalf within the National Capital Judicial Region, from "publishing, broadcasting, uttering, sharing, distributing, or re-uploading" on TikTok, TikTok Live, or any other social media or digital platform statements deemed defamatory against TVJ Productions and "Eat Bulaga."
"The defendant, his agents, representatives, and all persons acting in his behalf, are permanently enjoined... from publishing, broadcasting, uttering, sharing, distributing, or re-uploading on TikTok, TikTok Live, or any social media or digital platform the defamatory statements which tend to diminish, dilute, or damage the goodwill and reputation of plaintiff TVJ Productions, Inc. and 'Eat Bulaga,'" part of the ruling read.
TVJ Productions filed the petition after Yllana made public statements alleging that there was a "syndicate" operating within "Eat Bulaga" and accusing Tito Sotto of having a mistress.
Following the ruling, TVJ Productions shared the court's decision on its official social media pages, describing it as the "definitive vindication of the integrity of 'Eat Bulaga,' its hosts, and its management, and of the decades of trust that generations of viewers have placed in the program."
"The Court's Decision stands as a stern warning that social media cannot be used recklessly to destroy the rights of others," the company added.
As of this writing, Yllana has yet to issue a public statement on the court's decision.