Joey de Leon clarifies 15-year remark: 'Hindi namin kaaway ang It's Showtime'

MANILA, Philippines — Joey de Leon stressed that his much-talked about remark on willingly bending his knees for those who will reach the 15-year mark was not for noontime show "It's Showtime," but it was for those who were alleging that "Eat Bulaga" is rumored to end its 45-year run. 

The TV host-comedian posted a video on Instagram earlier today to shut down people from further fueling fire to the issue and for misinterpreting his remark. 

"Ito ay para lang matapos 'yung mga usap-usapan. Unang-una, hindi, hindi namin kaaway 'yung 'It's Showtime.' Yung 'Showtime' matagal na naming kapitbahay 'yon. Hindi rin kami tinitira, hindi rin namin sila tinitira. 

"Eat Bulaga" currently airs on TV5, in the same time slot with "It's Showtime," which is simulcast on sister stations, GTV and GMA-7. 

"Eat Bulaga" aired on GMA for more than three decades before its hosts decided to cut ties with its then producer Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) in May 2023. They started airing on TV5 in July of the same year. 

"Ang pinapatungkulan namin ni Tito (Sotto) nung nagalit kami sa 'Eat Bulaga' eh 'yung mga nasa social media na nagpo-post. ...Kaya hinamon ko 15 years, kung tatagal 'yung mga nagpo-post na 'yon. Hindi 'Showtime.' Happy anniversary 'Showtime,' 15 years na nga 'yung 'Showtime' bakit ko hahamunin 'yon?" he said. 

Joey pointed out that there are only two noontime shows currently seen on free TV, and he sees the other noontime show and its hosts as their contemporaries. 

"Mahal namin ang 'Showtime' dahil kasabayan namin. Dadalawa na lang kami, huwag niyo kaming pagsabungin. Magkakaibigan din po kami," he stressed. 

"Ang pinapatungkulan namin ni Tito ay 'yung mga nagpo-post na magsasara na kami. Dadalawa na lang 'yung show eh isasara pa 'yung isa. At 'yung isa 'yon well, hindi naman sa pagmamayabang -- longest running. Top 5 nga sa mundo eh,  kaya thank you. Kasama kayo doon sa honor na 'yon. Kaya inuulit namin 'yung galit namin ni Tito at ng mga Dabarkads at sama ng loob ay doon sa mga nagpo-post na hindi free TV, 'yung mga nasa Facebook, Instagram, sa social media, 'yung mga salbahe doon," he added. 

The vocal TV host reiterated that he will fulfill his viral remark if those who have been spreading the issue will last 15 years. He also reiterated that "Eat Bulaga" and "It's Showtime" are not enemies. 

"Kaya para malinaw, talagang luluhod ako, dadapa pa ako kung maka-15 years 'yung mga tsismoso na 'yon, 'yung mga sinungaling na 'yon. Pero 'yung 'Showtime' -- we love you." 

"Hindi kami magkaaway at nagtatrabaho lang kami, 'yun lang 'yon. Ganun lang kalinaw, nililinaw ko lang kasi hahaba pa ito. 'Yung iba nilalagyan na ng kulay, pinagsasabong. Nagtatrabaho lang po kami po kami, dadalawa na lang kaming lunch shows. We love each other." 

"Matagal na, mahigit isang dekada na kaming magkapitbahay. So 'yun lang po, inuulit ko 'yung mga nagpo-post na sinungaling sa social media 'yun ang mga buwisit, 'yun ang mga pinapatungkulan namin. Okay?" he said. 

RELATED: 'Mga sinungaling!': 'Eat Bulaga' denies shutting down due to bankruptcy