No Settlement Yet Between GMA Network and TAPE
GMA VS TAPE — GMA Network has declined the settlement offer made by Television and Production Exponents (TAPE), Inc. to resolve their unpaid debt.
This decision was made during a mediation meeting held at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on June 11, 2025. According to GMA, the amount offered by TAPE was not enough to cover the full amount they are owed.
With no agreement reached, the case will now be assigned to another prosecutor for a preliminary investigation.
Earlier, GMA filed a PHP 37.9-million estafa (fraud) complaint against TAPE. The issue began when TAPE failed to remit advertising revenues it collected from clients. Based on their 2023 Assignment Agreement, part of these earnings should have gone to the network. Instead, TAPE used the funds to cover its operational expenses.
TAPE was the production company behind the former noontime shows Eat Bulaga! and Tahanang Pinakamasaya.
Both parties had previously discussed the possibility of a settlement during a meeting on May 29, 2025. However, GMA’s legal counsel, Atty. Lynn Delfin, emphasized that the network wants to recover the full amount stated in their complaint. She said that the network has been waiting for the remittance of the ad revenues, but despite repeated demands, the amount was never turned over. GMA is seeking to collect the money that was misused and should have been given to them.
On the other hand, TAPE’s lawyer, Atty. Maggie Garduque, admitted that the company owes GMA money but explained that the main issue is whether this matter should be classified as a civil or criminal case.
Even though GMA rejected the offer, Atty. Delfin said the network remains open to hearing reasonable settlement proposals. Atty. Garduque also acknowledged that mediation depends on both parties’ willingness, and viewed GMA’s openness to settlement as a positive sign.