Christine has Amy’s ‘blessing’ to host 'Face the People'

MANILA, Philippines - Until now, speculations on why Amy Perez left TV5 and replaced by Christine Bersola-Babao on her supposedly new show "Face the People" remained unsettled.

Reports have it that Amy left because she had issues with some of the staff of the show.

During the press conference of “Face the People” on Friday afternoon, the show’s business management head Marj Evangelista clarified the issue.

She admitted that Amy had issues with the staff and based on her explanation, it is one of the main reasons for her leaving the network.

"So we tried to settle it pero nagdesisyon ang management at si Amy to settle amicably, na to part ways na magkaibigan pa rin. I think now si Amy naman is happy with her decision din," she said.

Evangelista said that Amy's former staff in "Face To Face" are being retained to the new show.

“We retained most of the staff doon sa programa. And yung kay Amy, I think, they were able to talk kung ano ang problema nila, tinanggap ng staff kung ano naging pagkakamali, narinig niya ‘yon. Tapos ‘yong management narinig din ang pinagdaanan ni Amy during that time," she said.

"Kagaya rin nga nang sinasabi ni MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) sa mga empleyado ng TV5 ano, we value our people," she added.

She also said: "I think she had different options din kasi. She was offered different options din. Pero siguro na-weigh niya yung mga options niya and ‘yon nga, nagdesisyon si Amy at ang TV5 management na mag-part ways, at the end of the day desisyon niya pa rin ‘yon."

Christine Bersola- Babao, who was also at the press conference, was also asked about Amy’s issues which could have led her to arriving at a decision to leave the Kapatid network.

Christine, who is a real-life “kumare” and “friend” to Amy, said she had talked with her friend about the issue but she would not divulge any information.

“With her blessing again, I will tell you that yes I know. Siyempre a lot of things pinag-uusapan namin at sine-share namin bilang tunay na magkumare, magkaibigan in real life, e, sa amin lang," she said.

Christine said that before she faced the media for the press conference, she and Amy talked and the former Kapatid host gave her blessing.

"I will not deny, nag-usap na kami ni Tiyang (Amy) kanina at nag-offer ng blessing niya," she confirmed.

“Sasabihin ko sa inyo, alam  ko 100 percent ang kanyang pinagdaanan, especially nang nanganak siya. Kasi ang hirap 'di ba, na kapapanganak lang mayro’n kang post partum blues, nag-a-adjust pa siya—alam  ko ang mga pinagdaanan niya ng mga times na ‘yon," she added.

Christine added that it was Amy who recommended her for the show.

“So no’ng hahanap sila ng papalit, kasi siyempre Amy has to move on, ako talaga ang naisip niya pati ‘yong management din. Kaya nagpapasalamat po ako sa TV5 for this opportunity.”