The ongoing, seismic civil war in Philippine entertainment has just found its most formidable and heartbreaking witness. After weeks of relentless, sensational accusations from Anjo Yllana against the legendary triumvirate of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ), a new, authoritative voice has emerged from the shadows of silence: Jimmy Santos. The veteran comedian, a beloved fixture of Eat Bulaga for decades, has delivered a raw, emotional, and devastating exposé that validates the core of the rebellion, shifting the narrative from a mere professional dispute to a harrowing chronicle of alleged systemic abuse, exploitation, and betrayal.

Jimmy Santos’s decision to finally speak is a momentous event. For years, he was one of the senior, non-TVJ hosts whose presence lent the show its unique, approachable flavor. His silence, like that of many others, was assumed to be a protective measure. But, according to his own testimony, the recent courage displayed by Anjo Yllana in confronting the powerful TVJ was the crucial catalyst, the key that finally unlocked years of suppressed pain and resentment. Santos’s revelations paint a dark, deeply personal portrait of his time on the show, one where professional success was allegedly paid for with daily humiliation and abuse by the very men he considered friends.

The Long-Festering Wound: The ‘Dundes’ and the Power Structure

The core of Jimmy Santos’s statement immediately confirms a long-rumored, but conveniently forgotten, truth: the issue of “dundes,” a Filipino term implying severe disrespect, bad behavior, or a patronizing attitude, which he alleges was consistently exhibited by the TVJ trio. According to Santos, this was not a new problem; the issue of TVJ’s overbearing nature had been long-standing, but it was perpetually “na walang bahala na nga lang daw ito ng ilan kaya nabaon sa limot” (simply disregarded by some, thus buried in oblivion).

This context is vital. Santos’s words establish that the current crisis is not a sudden flare-up but the painful resurfacing of a systemic, decades-long problem. By validating the historical existence of this alleged “dundes,” Santos strengthens Yllana’s narrative and challenges the TVJ’s established public image as benevolent patriarchs.

Crucially, Santos issued a chilling warning to the younger, current co-hosts: he advised them to be wary and to excel, because in any confrontation, “hindi madaling banggain ang TVJ pag ganitong usapin dahil sa kakampi ng TVJ ang management ng Eat Bulaga” (it is not easy to fight the TVJ in such matters because the Eat Bulaga management is on their side). This detail confirms the insurmountable power imbalance, suggesting that the trio’s alleged behavior was enabled and protected by the institutional structure of the show itself, forcing those without senior status to simply endure.

The Personal Agony: ‘Ganged Up On’ and Cruel Exploitation

The heart of Jimmy Santos’s testimony is a harrowing, emotional account of his personal suffering. He stepped forward to the media, declaring unequivocally, “Isa din ako sa nabiktima ng paggamit ng TVJ” (I was also a victim of TVJ’s exploitation).

His claims detail a systematic campaign of personal torment that speaks volumes about the alleged environment on the show:

Exploitation and Disposal: Santos claims he was “used” by TVJ to serve their professional ends, only to be “pinatalsik lang siya nito ng ganun ganun lamang” (fired just like that) once his usefulness waned. The term “pinatalsik” (fired/expelled) carries a strong implication of cruel, sudden dismissal after years of loyalty and service.
Daily Harassment: Santos’s most visceral revelation details the day-to-day emotional toll. He stated that the trio allegedly “pinagtulungan, kinawa, at binatikos nila ang buong pagkatao ko” (they ganged up on, created trouble for, and criticized my whole being). The phrase “Wala silang pinapalampas na araw para sirain ang araw ko” (They would not let a day pass without ruining my day) is a gut-wrenching admission of constant, demoralizing pressure.
Forced Endurance: In response to this unrelenting psychological warfare, Santos admitted his only recourse was to “magtimpi” (endure/hold back his emotions). He confessed the immense pain of this ordeal, saying, “Napakasakit lang isipin na sa tagal ng aming pinagsamahan at pagkakaibigan ay ta-trydoren nila kaming lahat sa huli” (It is so painful to think that after all our years of togetherness and friendship, they would betray all of us in the end).

The root of this alleged betrayal, according to Santos, is simple and tragic: Money and Greed. “Alam naman natin na ang tao ay nababago ng pera lalo na kung ito’y nagpapakasilaw” (We all know that people are changed by money, especially when they are blinded by it). This final, cynical observation encapsulates the disappointment of a veteran who watched his friends and colleagues allegedly succumb to the corrupting influence of wealth and power, sacrificing loyalty for personal gain.

The Specter of Abuse: Wally, Jose, and the Hidden Violence

Beyond his own trauma, Jimmy Santos provided crucial insider validation to long-held public suspicions regarding TVJ’s treatment of other co-hosts. He confirmed the pervasive existence of a “bossing” (master-like/authoritarian) mentality, which allegedly led the trio to treat some of their junior co-hosts like “alipin” (slaves).

This behavior, Santos alleges, manifested in alarming ways on the set, specifically mentioning the popular comedic duo of Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo. He stated that TVJ was seen engaging in “pamamahiya at pamimisikal” (humiliation and physical touching/hitting) towards Wally and Jose.

This is a devastating claim. The physical comedy and on-screen dynamic of TVJ with Wally and Jose were often considered endearing or part of the skit. However, Santos asserts that this alleged humiliation and physical contact was not always a joke; it was frequently a genuine exercise in power, which was deliberately “isinasawalang bahala na lang ng nga ito at dinadaan sa biro ang lahat para lamang hindi maging masama ang tingin ng mga tao sa mga ito” (disregarded and just brushed off as a joke so that people would not see them in a bad light). This exposure suggests that a pattern of alleged abuse was conveniently cloaked under the guise of entertainment, confirming the deepest suspicions of many long-time viewers.

The S**Bomb Girls Revelation: A Career Destroyed

Perhaps the most shocking new layer of the controversy provided by Jimmy Santos involves the iconic dance group, the S**Bomb Girls. The sudden, career-shattering disbandment of the group has long been an unresolved question in local showbiz history.

Jimmy Santos claims to have the answer, linking their abrupt departure directly to the alleged actions of the TVJ trio. He revealed that the S**Bomb Girls were allegedly forced out because of “ginagawa ng mga ito [TVJ] ng hindi maganda na hindi nakaaya-aya tingnan sa television” (improper/unpleasant actions being done by them [TVJ] that were not suitable to be seen on television). The vague but pointed nature of this accusation implies a severity of alleged misconduct that the group could not tolerate, causing their beautiful career to “ganun kabilis nagkawatakwatek” (so quickly fall apart). This revelation implicates TVJ in not just internal conflict, but in the actual destruction of a major talent group’s career due to their alleged inappropriate behavior, adding a layer of gravity and potential legal exposure to the ongoing feud.

The Unified Front for Justice

Jimmy Santos’s final act was a powerful, symbolic endorsement that turns the personal grievances of Anjo Yllana into a collective crusade. He declared his unwavering support for Yllana, stating: “Kaya handa naming suportahan si Anjo hanggang sa huli upang makamtan namin ang inaasam naming hustisya” (That is why we are ready to support Anjo until the end so we can achieve the justice we long for).

By aligning himself with Yllana, Santos reframes the fight: it is no longer about a disgruntled former host, but a unified front of victims seeking accountability for years of alleged suffering and exploitation under the long-standing, protected power structure of TVJ and the Eat Bulaga management.

Jimmy Santos has not only broken his silence but has provided the crucial historical context and emotional evidence that transforms the Eat Bulaga feud into a full-scale reckoning. His testimony serves as a voice for all those who suffered in silence, demanding that the titans of television finally answer for the alleged abuses perpetrated under the cheerful guise of noontime entertainment. The public is now keenly focused on whether this unified front will be enough to finally pierce the impenetrable silence of Tito, Vic, and Joey.