Anjo Yllana admits mistake, breaks silence on TVJ lawsuit fallout

Comedian accepts P3.5M ruling, says sorry twice and hopes Tito, Vic and Joey find forgiveness.

Anjo Yllana is taking the fallout from his legal battle in stride, saying the controversy has taught him a hard but necessary lesson about airing grievances online.

The actor-comedian admitted he learned “valuable lessons” from the defamation lawsuit filed against him by TVJ Productions, following his controversial social media remarks about Sen. Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon in 2025.

The Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 279 earlier ordered Yllana to pay P3.5 million in damages and issued a permanent injunction against him. While he has appealed to lower the financial penalty, Yllana said he has chosen to accept the court’s ruling and take accountability for his actions.

“First time nangyari sa akin ito. First kong natutunan na mali pala ang nagkukuwento ka, naglalabas ka ng sama ng loob at hinanakit sa social media. Wala naman kasing social media noong araw,” Yllana told radar Entertainment on the sidelines of the recent Maddox Jewelry Iconic Runway Fashion Show.

“Sinabi ko naman na nagkamali ako, basta nag-sorry ako. I made a mistake, I learned from my mistake. Iba ‘yong natuto ka sa mali mong nagawa. Wala naman akong reklamo,” he added.

Yllana acknowledged the court’s decision without protest, even as he pursues an appeal.

“Guilty ako sa korte, ‘yon ang tingin nila, guilty. ‘Di rin ako nagreklamo na ang babayaran ko ay P3.5 million. Wala kayong maririnig sa akin. Tanggap ko naman lahat ng sasabihin sa akin, although karapatan ko rin naman ang mag-appeal,” he said.

For the comedian, the financial penalty is secondary to repairing relationships strained by the controversy.

“‘Di naman importante sa akin ang kaso o babayaran. Ang importante sa akin sana humupa kung mayroon silang galit, nasaktan sila sa mga nasabi ko,” he said.

Yllana also reiterated that he has already issued a public apology twice and hopes it has been received with sincerity.

“Nag-public apology ako, twice. Sana na-appreciate nila ‘yon. Natatawa na lang ako minsan sa mga comments, ‘Ngayon nagso-sorry ka.’ Sabi ko nga, wala namang masama mag-sorry. Maganda nga ‘yon na mag-sorry ka. So far, nandoon ako sa ‘sorry stage.’ Wala pa kami sa usap, bati or hello stage, patawaran stage,” he shared.

Despite the tension, Yllana maintained that he holds no ill will toward the “Eat Bulaga” hosts, noting a recent cordial encounter with Wally Bayola.

“Si Wally, minsan nagkita kami. Batian naman kami, wala naman kaming problema ni Wally,” he said.

“Alam n’yo, mahal ko naman ang mga ’yan eh. Kahit ‘di usap, humupa lang kung mayroon silang galit. Sana humupa,” he added.

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