TAPE’s chief finance officer Bullet Jalosjos (rightmost), with its president Jon Jalosjos (middle). Also in picture are their sister Soraya Jalosjos. Image: Instagram/@bullet888
Dapitan Mayor Bullet Jalosjos, who serves as finance officer of TAPE Inc., on Wednesday, belied allegations made by former Senator Tito Sotto III that some program changes that owner Romeo “Romy” Jalosjos Sr. wanted to implement were fueled by political agenda.
Sotto alleged during an interview with DWIZ last June 3 that Jalosjos was eyeing a replacement of the noontime show’s “Bawal Judgmental” with a new segment called “Search for Kasambahay,” which is said to be some sort of a beauty pageant for domestic helpers.
But Jalosjos, who was present during the introduction of the new “Eat Bulaga” hosts last Monday, labeled Sotto’s remarks as mere “speculations.” In an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source on June 7, Jalosjos said that while there are talks to produce a segment for kasambahays, he stressed that none has been put in place at the moment.
“These are all speculations. We just launched our show, so wala pang ‘kasambahay’ segment. Sa kanya po nanggaling ‘yan,” he said “While we have been talking about it before, wala pa namang portion para sa mga kasambahay. But merong mga talks na ibalik sa mga kasambahay ‘yung mga kasiyahan, contests, ‘yung pwedeng manalo, because these are the people watching at that timeslot. So, is it so wrong to mainly focus on a certain minority group or marginalized sector na pwedeng bigyan ng kasiyahan?” he continued.
(These are all speculations. We just launched our show, so there’s no kasambahay segment. That came from him. While we have been talking about it before, there’s no portion for domestic helpers. But there are talks to bring kasambahays into the spotlight through cheerful portions, contests, or some sort of thing where one would win, because these are the people watching at that timeslot. So, is it wrong to mainly focus on a certain minority group or marginalized sector that can bring happiness?)
READ: Tito Sotto: Jalosjos tried replacing Eat Bulaga segment due to ‘political agenda’
During the interview, broadcast journalist Pinky Webb then asked Jalosjos if there was any truth to Sotto’s claims that they had plans to use the possible segment as a stepping stone to launch a partylist group, to which the TAPE executive said there are none at the moment.
“As of now, wala pa po. Right now, we are just looking at a segment na gagawan naming contest. Sa lahat ng mga kasambahay, whether nasa Pilipinas man o abroad, mga OFW, pwede silang manalo,” he said. “All they can do is to send a video of them singing, and you never know. Baka maka-discover tayo ng bagong talento na nanggaling sa kasambahay.”
(As of now, none. Right now, we are just looking at a segment that we can turn into a contest. To the helpers, whether they’re in the Philippines or abroad like the OFWs, they can win. All they can do is to send a video of them singing, and you never know. Maybe we can discover some new talent coming from them.)
Jalosjos’ interview happened to fall on the same day that Sotto, his brother Vic, and Joey de Leon, original hosts of “Eat Bulaga,” confirmed their transfer to TV5 after signing a deal with media conglomerate Mediaquest Holdings Inc.
Following the transfer, Jalosjos said he’s “happy” for the veteran hosts as they were able to find a new home. EDV