MANILA – (UPDATED) Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon announced on Wednesday that they are parting ways with TAPE Inc.

In a livestream of “Eat Bulaga” on its YouTube channel, the three veteran hosts turned emotional as they reminisced about the 44 years they spent on the long-running noontime show.

“Pumasok po kaming lahat ngayong araw para makapagtrabaho pero hindi po kami pinayagang umere ng new management ng live. Hindi po kami pinayagan mag-live ng new management,” Tito said.

“Kung natatandaan niyo po, July 30, 1979 nang simulan namin ang ‘Eat Bulaga,’ 44 years na po ngayong taon. Kaya naman lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa mga naging tahanan naming, unang una ang RPN 9 for nine years, ang ABS-CBN for six years, at ang GMA for 28 years,” added de Leon.

Vic then thanked all the advertisers and viewers, who patronized the noontime program for over four decades ago. The three likewise thanked former TAPE Inc. CEO Tony Tuviera for his trust and friendship.

“[Nagpapasalamat din kami] sa inyo, mga dabarkads, sa mga manonood, sa inyong pagmamahal sa programang naging bahagi ng inyong tanghalian. Lubos din ang aming pasasalamat kay Mr. Tony Tuviera sa pagkakaibigan at pagiging bahagi ng aming pamilya, at higit sa lahat, sa Panginoong Diyos, na kahit kailan hindi niya kmi pinabayaan,” Tito said.

“Hindi na po namin iisa-isahin ang laman ng aming mga puso at damdamin. Ang hangad lang po namin ay makapagtrabaho ng mapayapa, walang maaargabyado, at may respeto sa bawat isa,” Vic added.

“Simula ngayong araw, May 31, 2023, kami po ay magpapaalam na sa TAPE Incd. Karangalan po namin na kami’y nakapaghatid ng tuwa't saya mula Batanes hanggang Jolo at naging bahagi ng buhay niyo. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Hanggang sa muli, saan man kami dalahin ng tadhana, tuloy ang isang libo't isang tuwa.”

Following the surprising announcement of the trio which took social media by storm, GMA Network issued a statement saying it is saddened by this “unexpected turn of events.”

“We are saddened by today's unexpected turn of events with regard to Eat Bulaga. GMA has been the home of Eat Bulaga for many years and we still have a block time agreement with TAPE until the end of 2024 for the noontime slot,” the network said.

“Together with all the Filipino fans, we pray for a smooth and swift resolution of their issues. Maraming salamat sa patuloy na suporta, mga Kapuso,” it added.

With the network’s statement, it remains to be seen whether the three main hosts of the noontime program would also depart from the show.