TAPE execs told to appear for mediation in GMA Network's estafa complaint
In a copy of the subpoena dated May 5, 2025, respondents Romeo Jalosjos Jr., Romeo Jalosjos Sr., Seth Frederick P. Jalosjos, Michael N. Magtoto, Zenaida Buenavista, and Malou Choa-Fagar were directed to appear for mediation conferences scheduled on May 22 and May 29 at 12:30 p.m., pursuant to Department Circular No. 031, s. 2023.
"Failure to attend the mandatory mediation conferences will serve as a waiver of your right under the said Department Circular and the conduct of preliminary investigation shall proceed accordingly," the subpoena read.
In a statement sent to GMA News Online Monday, TAPE's legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, said the production company only knew about the complaint through the news on May 22 and that they only received a copy of the subpoena on May 23, which was after the first scheduled mediation conference.
'On May 22, TAPE just learned of the complaint via news and when we checked the docket section ng [Office of the City Prosecutor], wala daw po. Then, May 23, TAPE received the subpoena for mediation kaya hindi sila naka-attend,' she told GMA News Online via text messages.
She also said that TAPE will follow and respect the proceedings and that they will attend the second mediation conference set for May 29.
She added that they will schedule a meeting with the board of directors of TAPE on Tuesday to discuss the possible offer of settlement.
'We will schedule a meeting with the board of directors of TAPE [tomorrow] to discuss the possible offer of settlement, if there is any, because this is the purpose of mediation, for parties to come up with compromise agreement to end the dispute and forego with the regular preliminary investigation in criminal cases," said Abraham-Garduque.
GMA Network, Inc. had filed a criminal complaint for estafa with abuse of confidence against officers of TAPE Inc. for the misappropriation of funds totaling P37,941,352.56.
The complaint stems from the respondents' failure to remit advertising revenues collected from clients, which had been contractually assigned to GMA Network under a 2023 Assignment Agreement. Despite multiple formal demands, the funds were not transferred to GMA because they were instead used for TAPE's operational expenses, in violation of the trust arrangement outlined in the agreement.
—with reports from Jade Veronique Yap and Joahna Lei Casilao/CDC, GMA Integrated News
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