Explosive Claims of Abuse and Abandonment by the Former ‘Eat Bulaga’ Host Meet Widespread Skepticism and a Powerful Philosophical Rebuke
The turbulent public campaign of former television host Anjo Yllana against his former colleagues has intensified dramatically, focusing now on the iconic Senator Tito Sotto. Just as Yllana’s previous threats against TV5 and its owner, Manny V. Pangilinan, were cooling, the comedian unleashed a new round of explosive accusations, claiming Sotto once cursed at him and later abandoned him during a public controversy. This aggressive strategy has drawn a powerful philosophical rebuke from another Eat Bulaga icon, Joey de Leon.
Joey de Leon’s Philosophical Scrutiny: “They Only Remember Your Mistakes”
The new round of controversy began not with Yllana’s claims, but with a cryptic, yet highly relevant, statement from veteran comedian and host Joey de Leon. De Leon posted a profound message on social media that many netizens immediately linked to the ongoing Yllana scandal.
De Leon’s statement served as a reflection on human nature and gratitude:
“Not everyone you help knows how to value your kindness. Your kindness is quickly forgotten; your mistake will be remembered forever. I don’t need to mention who, this message is for everyone, whether in showbiz or in real life. There are people who will only remember your mistake but will no longer recall how you helped them.”
The message resonated deeply with fans, who quickly speculated that the words were aimed at Yllana, given his recent pattern of attacking those who had supported him for decades. As longtime friends and colleagues dating back to the early Eat Bulaga days, the perceived betrayal by Yllana seems to have prompted De Leon’s sorrowful, non-specific condemnation. While Joey de Leon maintains silence on the direct target, his words acted as a mirror reflecting the perceived ingratitude and selective memory of those who choose to publicly disparage their former benefactors.
The New Accusations: Cursing and Abandonment by Tito Sotto
Anjo Yllana’s latest video release contained his most direct and inflammatory accusations yet against Tito Sotto, whom he had previously regarded as both a big brother and a father figure.
Yllana presented two key grievances against the veteran senator:
1. The Political Lineup Feud
Yllana recounted an incident during his last term as a city councilor, claiming that Sotto attempted to replace him with another political candidate, a Castelo relative, in the local lineup, which would have benefited Sotto’s relative, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto. When Yllana resisted this move, citing support from Mayor Joy Belmonte, Yllana alleged that Tito Sotto called him and “cursed at him” (Pinagmumura daw po siya).
Yllana claimed he did not argue at the time out of respect for their professional relationship at Eat Bulaga, choosing instead to focus on his hosting duties.
2. Abandonment During the Raffy Tulfo Controversy
Yllana’s second and more damaging accusation concerned Sotto’s alleged failure to protect him during a highly publicized controversy involving Senator Raffy Tulfo. Yllana claimed that when he and his brother were being targeted by Tulfo over a school issue in Lucena—which Yllana claimed was based on “false accusations” and a “misrepresentation of facts”—Tito Sotto offered no support or defense.
Yllana concluded with a rhetorical question loaded with resentment: “What kind of friend is that?” He stated that Sotto’s alleged abandonment during this public attack was the reason Yllana now felt justified in exposing Sotto’s purported negative traits.
Public Reaction: Widespread Disbelief and Counter-Argument
Yllana’s claims have been met with widespread skepticism, particularly the assertion that Tito Sotto—known for his decades-long, relatively scandal-free public image as a statesman and host—would use foul language against a colleague on the phone.
Netizens largely dismissed Yllana’s attempt to paint Sotto as hypocritical, arguing that the timing and nature of the revelations clearly indicate a retaliatory motive related to Yllana’s current political aspirations and the public split within the Eat Bulaga family.
The core counter-argument from the public remains: Tito Sotto defends those who are in the right; if Yllana was in the wrong during his issues, Sotto would naturally distance himself. The consensus suggests that Yllana is inappropriately attempting to shift the responsibility for his personal and political problems onto a former mentor, failing to recognize the distinction between personal friendship and professional or ethical conduct.
The Political Strategy Fallout
Anjo Yllana’s strategy appears to be one of scorched earth: by attacking the most respected figures in his past, he generates immense public noise, which he seemingly hopes will translate into political visibility for his senatorial run.
However, this approach is clearly backfiring. The combined condemnations from veteran industry figures like Joey de Leon and Allan K, coupled with the organizational dismissal from the TBJ camp and the corporate indifference of TV5/MVP, have effectively marginalized Yllana. His actions are increasingly perceived not as courageous whistleblowing, but as a desperate, ungrateful attempt to use controversy as a shortcut to political power.
The dramatic feud serves as a poignant reminder that in showbiz and politics alike, integrity and gratitude often outweigh manufactured sensationalism.