Willie Revillame scraps Senate run

BARELY three months after proclaiming he was ready to seek public office, former TV host Willie Revillame is reported to have dropped plans to run for the Senate.

Citing Cristy Fermin, The Manila Times' Ronnie Carrasco 3rd wrote in his Entertainment column today (Vignettes, page D4) that as of April, Revillame «has decidedly given up on his senatorial dream.»

Several reports claimed that Revillame would rather focus on the return of his daily show «Wowowin» on TV5.

Willie Revillame

The show will reportedly return on air in the third quarter of 2024 and will take the slot right after TV5's flagship noontime program, «Eat Bulaga.»

Should Revillame decide to run in May next year, he would have to abide by the election rule that bans aspiring candidates from appearing on television, films and social media as soon as he files his certificate of candidacy in October.

The former «Wowowin» host joined a prayer rally on January 28 in Davao City at the invitation of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

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During his speech, Revillame recalled a meeting with Duterte where he was offered to run for the Senate.

«Three years ago, after Covid[-19], the beloved President Duterte and Sen. Bong Go summoned me to talk to me at Malacañang. We started at 8 p.m. and finished at 2 a.m.» Revillame shared in Tagalog.

«That was the time they urged me to run for senator, and during that time, I had a program on GMA 7 called 'Wowowin.' I told the beloved president I still have a contract, and I'm not ready yet. I said when I am ready, I will consider it. They didn't force me, and the president even told me, 'Follow what's in your heart and mind,'» he said.

Revillame said he believed one must be ready to be a public servant, and after much thought, he saw himself differently this time around.

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