Netizens were outraged when Joey de Leon made a joke about "Francis M," an apparent play on the words "franchise" and the late Master Rapper Francis Magalona’s name.
Following the announcement by "Eat Bulaga" mainstays De Leon, Tito Sotto, and Vic Sotto of their departure from production company TAPE Inc., one @tenchi_MNL tweeted about how De Leon has now supposedly been compelled to be off-air.
"Joey de Leon several times threw shade ‘kami may franchise," the user tweeted, referring to the host's perceived allusion to ABS-CBN's unsuccessful franchise bid.
"Totoo naman talaga ‘yun pero nawala rin...si Francise M. Gets?" De Leon responded, appearing to link the late rapper's name to the ABS-CBN franchise.
Totoo naman talaga yun pero nawala rin…si Francise M. Gets?
— Joey de Leon (@AngPoetNyo) May 31, 2023
De Leon was chastised by netizens for insulting the late musician and his family.
On May 31, TVJ announced their departure from Tape after the production firm prohibited them from showing live shows.
