I. Introduction: The Unraveling of an Institution

The Philippine television landscape, particularly its revered noontime slot, has been irrevocably altered by the highly publicized departure of the legendary trio, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ), from their long-time production company, TAPE Inc. This seismic shift, which saw the main hosts and most of the ‘Dabarkads’ co-hosts move to TV5, was initially framed as a legal and organizational dispute over rights, ownership, and financial issues. However, the controversy has recently been inflamed by explosive personal allegations, bringing the drama beyond the boardroom and into the realm of personal scandal, dominating all major social media platforms.

The focus has sharply turned to the co-hosts who followed TVJ, particularly the highly influential Maine Mendoza. While Maine’s loyalty to the original hosts has been publicly acknowledged, the current wave of unsubstantiated rumors suggests darker reasons for the mass exodus—reasons rooted not just in money, but in moral and ethical concerns within the show’s inner circle.

II. The Public Accusations: The Allegations of Anjo Yllana

The catalyst for this new wave of scandal appears to stem from the public statements made by former Eat Bulaga co-host, Anjo Yllana. Yllana, who himself had a complex departure from the noontime show years prior, bravely stepped forward to air accusations that he claims reveal a “dark and unsavory truth” hidden beneath the show’s cheerful facade.

Yllana’s most serious allegations target Tito Sotto, claiming that the veteran comedian and former senator had maintained a decades-long extramarital affair with a woman. Yllana asserted that this decade-long secret was known to many within the inner circle, but was kept silent due to fear of the influence and power wielded by the principal hosts. Furthermore, Yllana alluded to a “dark system” or “syndicate” operating within the show’s management, suggesting a toxic environment that went beyond typical showbiz politics.

These are incredibly severe claims that, if true, challenge the carefully cultivated image of the TVJ trio as wholesome, family-friendly pillars of Philippine entertainment.

III. The Role and Silence of Maine Mendoza: A Study in Loyalty

Maine Mendoza, who rose to unprecedented stardom through Eat Bulaga’s ‘Kalyeserye’ segment, has found herself unintentionally thrust into the heart of this renewed controversy. The core of the recent social media buzz—the source of the content provided by the user—alleges that Maine Mendoza herself was so disgusted and morally compromised by the toxic environment and particularly the alleged affairs (specifically Tito Sotto’s) that it eventually factored into her decision to leave.

However, it is crucial to note that public records and Maine Mendoza’s own statements do not corroborate this specific narrative.

When the hosts resigned en masse in May 2023, Maine Mendoza was unequivocal about her reasons. She publicly affirmed that her choice to join TVJ in their new venture was solely driven by loyalty, self-respect, and deeply established personal values.

Maine Mendoza’s Public Stance: “For me, no amount of money can buy my established values, self-respect, and loyalty. So, in accepting me, eight years ago, when I joined ‘Eat Bulaga,’ all I can give back to them is my loyalty, my gratitude, and just like how they fought for us, we will fight for them wherever destiny takes us.”

Her statement, which focused on the integrity and respect received from TVJ and the Dabarkads, contrasts sharply with the recent narrative suggesting a “disgust” that forced her out. Her public actions—celebrating TVJ’s legal victories and maintaining unity with them—firmly establish her position of unwavering loyalty and gratitude.

IV. The ‘Unspoken’ Reasons: Navigating a Toxic Environment

While the allegations of affairs remain unverified, the possibility of a toxic, high-pressure workplace environment within a long-running show is a subject worth exploring. The claims that some co-hosts felt morally compromised and found it difficult to work alongside perceived hypocrisy—seeing one’s host family figure presenting a wholesome image while allegedly maintaining a secret life—speak to the immense pressure placed on public figures in the Philippines.

It is plausible that the collective decision to leave the production company (TAPE Inc.) stemmed from a combination of factors:

The Primary Factor: Financial, contractual, and intellectual property disputes between TVJ and TAPE’s management (the Jalosjos family).
The Secondary Factor (Moral/Ethical): A long-simmering dissatisfaction with the overall culture, treatment of co-hosts, and alleged ethical misconduct, which the younger hosts may have felt obligated to endure until the dispute provided an opportune and unified exit.

The fact that an unnamed former host is also allegedly the subject of one of the affair rumors further complicates the narrative, intertwining personal drama with professional upheaval and adding a layer of sensationalism that has captivated the public.

V. The Power of Public Narrative and the Limits of Showbiz Journalism

The intense media scrutiny surrounding the TVJ and TAPE Inc. controversy underscores the power of narrative in Philippine showbiz. The transition from a legal fight (the ownership of the Eat Bulaga name) to a moral one (the personal conduct of the hosts) demonstrates how quickly public perception can shift.

In the current climate, where the public is hungry for details and social media allows for rapid dissemination of unverified claims, figures like Anjo Yllana become central in shaping the dialogue. The ethical line for reporters and commentators becomes clear: differentiate between reported allegations and confirmed fact. While Anjo Yllana’s statements about a “syndicate” and the alleged affair are part of the current news cycle, to attribute the moral outrage of these claims to Maine Mendoza without her explicit, verified statement would be a critical failure of journalistic integrity.

Maine Mendoza’s public silence on the affair allegations is perhaps her most powerful statement. By focusing her narrative on loyalty, respect, and professional integrity, she reinforces her own brand’s reputation while navigating one of the most contentious splits in Philippine TV history.

VI. Conclusion: Loyalty, Values, and the Road Ahead

The saga of TVJ and their co-hosts is a complex tapestry woven with legal battles, generational shifts, and deeply personal conflicts. While the core battle remains the legal ownership of their legacy, the current storm of personal allegations threatens to permanently tarnish the images of the hosts involved.

For Maine Mendoza and the younger ‘Dabarkads,’ their decision to stand with TVJ was a clear choice rooted in their own professional values. Regardless of the veracity of the darker allegations circulating online, the co-hosts’ choice was a powerful endorsement of their gratitude toward the trio. Their journey now continues on TV5, an act of faith and loyalty proving that, for them, the bond of the ‘Dabarkads’ transcends the brand name, the network, and perhaps even the messy, unscripted dramas that occasionally surface beneath the bright lights of show business.