Cesar Montano

Not everyone is happy with Cesar Montano’s seemingly sudden return to GMA-7.

Loudly voicing dissent against the shift is Montano’s longtime manager Norma Japitana, who claims to have been left out of the transaction.

Japitana said she was still negotiating with ABS-CBN in behalf of the actor for a proposed soap—wherein the latter would have reportedly worked opposite award-winning actress Lorna Tolentino, among others—when she learned about the signing from news feeds.

Japitana formally filed her complaint to the Philippine Artists Managers, Inc. (PAMI) a day after the publicized signing.

The PAMI immediately released a statement concerning the matter. It read thus:

"The PAMI had an emergency meeting with one of its members Ms. Norma Japitana after she officially filed a complaint with the organization.

"Cesar Montano entered into a contract with GMA-7 without the knowledge of Norma Japitana, his manager of 26 years.

"Last night we personally invited Mr. Cesar Montano for a dialogue with the organization sometime next week. We are waiting for his confirmation."

During an earlier TV interview, Montano intimated that he decided to sign the GMA contract after having waited for ABS-CBN to come up with a deal.

"Wala, e. Nung nag-usap kami like three weeks ago, ibabalik muna daw 'yong ‘Game KNB?’ with Kris [Aquino] bago ibabalik 'yong ‘Singing Bee.’ Pero wala pang definite date, puro negotiations lang. Walang absolute certainty, so, nagpaalam ako.”

Montano said he personally bid goodbye to all parties that might be affected by his transfer, including ABS-CBN bigwigs Linggit Tan and Cory Vidanes.

"Nung nagpaalam ako, ‘yong sign na nakuha ko, smooth, walang violent reaction [from ABS-CBN]. Okay naman sila. 'Basta hihintayin ka namin ulit dito pagbalik mo.' Ganun sila. 'Pag tapos ka na doon, balik ka lang dito. You're welcome again here.’"

Asked if Japitana knows about the transfer, Montano replied, "She's part of this [transfer]. Any time pagdating niya dito, mag-uusap kami. She knows."

Montano claims that Japitana had been very busy of late and that they haven’t been talking for some time now.

He also acknowledged having acquired the services of entertainment columnist and PR manager Shirley Pizarro as business manager.

"Si Shirley Pizarro ang kausap ng GMA-7, pero pinaalam ko kay Ate Norma," the actor explained.

"Right now, kasi si Ate Norma is very busy 'yan, e. ‘Yong labas, trip sa ibang bansa. Nagpapatulong ako with Shirley Pizarro [with the GMA 7 deal]... 'Andiyan pa rin si Ate Norma."

In a recent phone interview, actress Sunshine Cruz, Montano’s wife, refused to comment on the matter.