Is it Richard Gutierrez's turn to move to ABS-CBN?

Nang magsimula ang demandahan sa tatlong kumpanya—AGB Nielsen, GMA-7, and ABS-CBN—the Kapuso network gathered its biggest and brightest stars for an ID plug showing their support for their station as "Proud to be Kapuso."

Ang unang ipinalabas ng GMA-7 ay ang kay Richard, the acknowledged king of GMA primetime.

GUARANTEED CONTRACT. He is reportedly the highest paid star of the Kapuso network and, more importantly, ang pinanghahawakan niya ay isang guaranteed contract. A guaranteed contract is the premium contract. It means he must have a regular show (a certain number of shows for some) at kung wala, babayaran pa rin siya ng istasyon of the amount he should get kung mayroon siya. Kapalit nito is Richard's exclusivity na hindi siya puwedeng makita o mag-guest sa ABS-CBN.

Reportedly, any show of Richard na ipalalabas muli, babayaran din siya ulit ng network. Kung kaya't kung sakaling magdesisyon ang GMA-7 na i-replay ang Mulawin, for example, may panibagong bayad daw na matatanggap si Richard.

It was already written several times that Richard is part of the creative group that will conceptualize his next primetime soap for GMA-7 after Kamandag ends. He is the first star to be able to be given that privilege sa GMA-7. Only the likes of Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta, and Dolphy ang may ganitong pribiliheyo sa ABS-CBN na makasama sila sa pagbuo pa lang ng concept of their shows.

Richard is also an exclusive star of GMA Films, the first to be signed up by the film arm of the Kapuso network. Sumunod na lang sa kanya sina Iza Calzado, Rhian Ramos, at Dingdong Dantes in that order.

But Richard's guaranteed contract is expiring on May 26—some say 27 and other say 28—of this year. Now, we hear whispers at presscons and we read blind items in tabloids that Richard might move to ABS-CBN.

RICHARD AS A KAPAMILYA? Walang halos gustong magsalita sa kahit na sinong malapit kay Richard tungkol sa usap-usapang ito. Kung mayroon man, naniniguro muna sila na hindi sila maku-quote or mapapangalan.

"Palagi namang may ganyang balita kay Richard," sagot ng isa sa mga nakausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

Pinasagot lang namin ng simpleng yes or no ang aming unang kausap kung may offer ba ang ABS-CBN kay Richard.

"Wala nang bago diyan, si Richard pa ba ang hindi oo-offer-an ng ABS?" sagot nito.

This time though, mas maraming slant and reasoning kung bakit lumalakas ang usapan.

Una, may tampuhan na naman daw sa pagitan ng kampo ni Richard at ng GMA-7. Ikalawa, nasa ABS-CBN ang mga pinakamahahalagang babae sa buhay ni Richard ngayon—si KC Concepcion, na balitang nililigawan niya; si Angel Locsin na original partner niya sa GMA-7; at pati na rin si Ruffa Gutierrez, ang kanyang ate.

"Ilang beses na bang may tampuhan ang GMA at si Richard? Hindi naman ito ang una," sabi ng pangalawang source ng PEP.