MANILA, Philippines: Comedian-host Joey de Leon on Friday clarified that he was not referring to noontime show "It's Showtime" when he aired his controversial statement in an episode of "Eat Bulaga."

In a video he uploaded on his personal accounts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), De Leon clarified that his statement was supposedly directed at those spreading rumors on social media that "Eat Bulaga" was losing money and will soon close.

"Ito'y para lang matapos yung mga usap-usapan. Unang-una, hindi namin kaaway yung It's Showtime. Yung Showtime matagal na naming kapitbahay yun. Hindi nila kami tinitira. Hindi rin namin sila tinitira. ("This is just to put an end to the rumors. First and foremost, we don't consider 'It's Showtime' as our enemy. 'Showtime' has been our neighbor for a long time. They don't attack us, and we don't attack them)," De Leon began in his video.

De Leon said he and long-time co-host and former senator Tito Sotto were angry at the netizens who posted on social media.

"This is why I posed the 15-year challenge to these netizens, not It's Showtime," the comedian said.

De Leon then said they loved "It's Showtime" and that people should not pit them against each other since they were the only two noontime shows that were left standing.

He then greeted the rival show a happy 15th anniversary.

De Leon first showed his displeasure during the April 17 episode when he and Sotto called out the people who had been spreading the rumors.

He said that if these detractors reached 15 years he may even "kneel before them" as he slammed them for being "rude and disrespectful."