GMA-7 denies instigating smear campaign vs Angel Locsin

GMA-7 insiders vehemently downplayed accusations that the network is instigating a smear campaign against its former prized talent, Angel Locsin. "Alam namin kung kanino galing ang text message na ‘yon, e. Ganoon lang ang sinasabi nila, pero kung anuman ang statement ni Ma'am Wilma tungkol sa naging problema nina Angel at Becky [Aguila] sa network, official ‘yon at aware si Atty. [Felipe] Gozon doon," confided one network staff to Abante Tonite columnist Jun Lalin in a conversation. There's also no truth on the rumor that Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Network Chairman and CEO, got so upset with Wilma Galvante and accused the SVP for Entertainment TV for mismanaging Angel Locsin's contract prompting her to transfer to ABS-CBN. "Hindi totoong nagagalit si Atty. Gozon dahil hindi kami ang nagpasimula ng kung anu-anong intriga against Angel. 'Tsaka ‘yung sinasabing papalitan ni Annette [Gozon-Abrogar] si Ma'am Wilma as head ng entertainment department, that's not true," added the source. Wilma Galvante, on the other hand, voiced the same thoughts and reiterated that the top management has full knowledge of what's going on and what's being said regarding the issue. She was pertaining to the rumor that some of the network executives were allegedly not pleased when Galvante, along with Program Manager Redgie Acuña-Magno, appeared in a taped interview last Sunday on Showbiz Central. "Alam ni FLG [Felipe L. Gozon] ang nangyayari. Hindi kami puwedeng magsalita without his approval," Galvante casually shared to another Abante Tonite columnist, Jerry Olea over lunch. Galvante once again said that the network doesn't want to dwell on the issue anymore as they feel that they already spoke enough about the controversy. "We've aired our side already and we're putting it to rest. Why give her [Becky] more airtime? We have lots of other things to do," she muttered. As of now, the entire GMA-7 team is said to be more excited in promoting Marimar and are seriously grooming Marian Rivera as their new banner star after Angel. "Si Marian, parang bagong face. Ang sabi ng mga tao sa kanya, ‘Ang ganda-ganda!" Galvante enthusiastically said about Marian. - Philippine Entertainment Portal