The collision between show business and the volatile world of politics rarely occurs without sparks, but the recent, highly public feud between veteran actor Andrew “Anjo” Yllana and former Senate President Tito Sotto was nothing short of an explosion. What started as an online squabble over campaign promises quickly escalated into threats of revealing a long-term mistress and uncovering a toxic “syndicate” that allegedly operated within the hallowed halls of the iconic noontime show, Eat Bulaga.

The drama, which played out across highly engaged live streams and media interviews, exposed deep, long-standing wounds within the Dabarkads family. Yet, just as the confrontation reached its peak, a fragile “ceasefire” was established, not by the principal combatants, but through the emotional intervention of Tito’s brothers, Vic and Maru Sotto. This is the full, complex narrative of allegations, admissions of bluff, and the delicate dance towards reconciliation.

The Spark: Campaign Promises and Political Trolling
For several days, Anjo Yllana had been a vocal, if controversial, figure online, directly criticizing Tito Sotto and certain former colleagues from Eat Bulaga. Anjo claimed he was forced to speak out due to the relentless “bashing” he received from the perceived supporters of Tito Sotto and the Eat Bulaga camp.

The initial public challenge was political: Anjo, who declared himself a supporter of Vice President Sara Duterte, noted that followers asked him to inquire about Tito Sotto’s campaign promise to donate his Senate salary to scholars. Anjo publicly challenged Tito to provide the “receipts” proving he had indeed fulfilled this pledge. Anjo later credited his call as successful, noting that Tito eventually released the necessary documents. However, this inquiry inadvertently triggered a barrage of sustained attacks from the senator’s alleged “trolls” and followers, which Anjo claimed were “politically motivated.”

Anjo asserted that his opinions on public matters, such as government issues like flood control projects, were always expressed “without slandering or using profanity.” Yet, the intensity of the retaliation he faced pushed him into making statements far more inflammatory than policy critiques.

The Syndicate and the Slander of a Beloved Director
The conflict quickly moved from political discourse back to the painful history of Eat Bulaga. On November 2, Anjo went live again, revealing “explosive” details about his former show. His target: an alleged “syndicate” operating within Eat Bulaga for a long time, responsible for “unpleasant activities.”

The most heartbreaking claim involved the late director, Dirk Bert de Leon, who had directed Eat Bulaga since 1979 until his passing in 2021. Anjo revealed that Dirk Bert allegedly suffered from slander and unfair practices which led to his removal from the show. Anjo tearfully recounted how Dirk Bert “cried to him” before his passing, saying he was “slandered to be removed.” The pain extended to the director’s family, as Anjo claimed Dirk Bert’s wife also “cried to Anjo, feeling disrespected” by the events that transpired. Anjo attributed these cruel actions to the alleged “syndicate,” though he deliberately chose not to name its specific members, implying a higher level of institutional malice.

Anjo made it clear he was not afraid of the consequences, declaring his willingness to speak out even against the influential TVJ trio (Tito Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Vic Sotto). This courageous stand, however, was met with relentless online hostility.

The ‘Mistress’ Threat: Bluff or Bombshell?
The tension reached a fever pitch on November 3 during a TikTok live stream. Annoyed by the continuous online attacks, Anjo decided to deploy a highly provocative threat. He directly challenged Tito Sotto about an alleged long-term mistress.

Anjo claimed that the senator’s vloggers tried to “stop or intimidate him,” prompting him to retaliate by threatening to reveal the identity of the woman, who he alleged had been Tito’s partner since 2013. He even threatened to expose her connections to Eat Bulaga and other personalities like Vic Sotto, and disturbingly mentioned that Tito allegedly tried to “walk” the woman to him. This was the statement that captured national attention, elevating the spat from mere showbiz gossip to a potential political and personal scandal.

The Unflappable Senator and Anjo’s Confession
Tito Sotto, the veteran politician, responded to the heated accusations with an air of calculated nonchalance. When interviewed, the senator stated he had no intention of engaging in a public spat or “throwing issues.” He insisted he would not dignify the allegations, urging the media and public “not to give them attention,” a clear implication that he viewed Anjo’s actions as a desperate plea for attention. Tito maintained the high ground, stressing the importance of “elevating the discourse” and focusing on serious Senate matters.

However, the real story behind the most sensational claim came from Anjo himself. In a subsequent interview with PEP.ph on November 4, Anjo clarified the origin of the volatile “mistress” threat. He admitted he got “annoyed” by the constant, aggressive trolling he faced from Tito’s and Eat Bulaga’s camp. To stop the “slander” from the trolls, Anjo admitted he made “brave statements as a bluff,” including the warning about the alleged mistress. He even laughed about the situation, confessing he “didn’t expect such a massive reaction from the public, nationwide and even globally,” finding a strange humor in the explosive consequences of his impulsive threat.

This confession contextualized Anjo’s earlier move to leave Eat Bulaga in 2020. Anjo explained his departure was due to pandemic restrictions that prevented him and Jimmy Santos from hosting their “One for All, All for One” segment in barangays, as only studio-based hosts were allowed. Facing the reality of the pandemic, Anjo prioritized “feeding his children,” choosing family over work for two years, and later noted the show’s strict policy that made a return as a regular host almost impossible. While he remained a Dabarkads in spirit, the current conflict highlighted the fragile nature of those showbiz ties.

The Sotto Brothers Intervene and The Path to Peace
Despite the widespread anticipation for Anjo’s supposed bombshell revelation, the confrontation abruptly ended before it could fully detonate. Anjo revealed that he received a message exchange from Tito Sotto’s younger brothers, Vic and Maru Sotto.

The initial exchange with the brothers was heated, with them expressing “hurt and emotional reactions” over Anjo’s public statements. However, the conversation ultimately led to an agreement for a “ceasefire” to stop the tension from escalating further. Anjo explained that the entire conflict was merely a result of “misunderstanding and miscommunication.”

During their conversation, Tito’s brothers denied having trolls attacking Anjo, and in a spirit of compromise, Anjo agreed to “remain silent in his vlogs” regarding the matter. Anjo reiterated that his provocative past statements were merely “bluffs” made to stop the “slander” from the trolls, and he had “no intention of harming or slandering the senator.”

Anjo expressed deep appreciation for Vic and Maru’s initiative, assuring the public that their conversation was conducted with “respect and understanding.” He noted his “deep friendship with Vic” and valued the opportunity to resolve their conflict. While he pledged to remain cautious in his statements, Anjo made a conscious choice for peace and reconciliation with the Sotto family, even as he committed to continuing to express his public opinions in his new self-appointed role as “the voice of the people.”

The ceasefire, though fragile, temporarily halts one of the most volatile showbiz-political feuds in recent memory. It underscores the immense power of family ties—even broken ones—to intervene in public disputes, and leaves behind the lingering questions of the alleged Eat Bulaga syndicate and the painful legacy of a beloved director’s alleged betrayal.