Willie Revillame. Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Rody Duterte
Willie Revillame declared that he’s ready to run for senator in the 2025 midterm elections, as he hopes to be a public servant who’s dedicated to serving his countrymen.
Revillame expressed his intention to run for senator during a prayer rally in Davao City on Sunday, Jan. 28, where he recalled that he had previously been offered by then President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go a spot in their party’s senatorial lineup. He said that he had to turn it down due to contractual obligations with the show “Wowowin.”
“Last March, two years ago after ng COVID-19 (pandemic), pinatawag po ako ni Sen. Bong Go at ng mahal na pangulo [Rodrigo Duterte] at ako ay kinausap nila sa Malacañang. ‘Yun po yung pinapatakbo niya ako bilang senator. During that time, meron akong programa sa GMA, ‘yung Wowowin,” he said.
“Sabi ko, ‘Mahal na pangulo, meron pa po akong kontrata at hindi ko pa po kaya. Pag handa na po ako, pag-iisipan ko.’ Sabi nila, ‘Kung ano ang nasa puso mo, sundin mo. Kung ano ang nasa isip mo, ‘yan ang sundan mo.’ Hindi po nila ako pinilit,” he further added.
(Last March, two years after COVID-19, Sen. Bong Go and beloved president Rodrigo Duterte asked me to run for senator in Malacañang. During that time, I was busy with “Wowowin,” my program in GMA. I said, I have contractual obligations and I’m not yet ready. I’ll prepare myself. I’ll think about it. They said, follow your heart. Follow your mind. They didn’t insist on anything.)
The TV host said his decision was made after long days of prayers, deep thinking, and deep consideration for Duterte and Go’s trust. “Nag-dasal ako at hindi ako nakatulog, at naluluha ako dahil isang karangalan sa katulad kong TV host, na alukin ng isang presidente ng Pilipinas, na magsilbi sa bayan.”
“Ang sabi sa’kin, ‘Mahal ka ng tao, pareho tayong mahal natin ang mga kababayan natin, kailangan ka namin sa Senado,’” he continued. “Noong sinabi niyo ‘yun sa’kin, sinabi niyo kailangan hindi ko kayo mapahiya kaya ako tumanggi sa inyo… Sabi mo sa akin, ‘Saludo ako sa’yo Willie dahil sinunod mo ang puso mo.’”
(I prayed about this and went through sleepless nights. I even felt like crying because it’s an honor for me who’s a mere TV host to be offered by the president of the Philippines to serve the country. They told me, “The people love you. We love our country and its constituents. We need you in the Senate.” When they told me this, I had to reject their offer because I was not ready. They told me, they’re proud of me for following my heart.)
During his speech, Revillame said being a public servant is about “serving the country” and not letting their “ego” take over their responsibilities.
“Dapat hindi pulitiko ang tawag sa mga nagsisilbi sa bayan. Dapat ang tawag sa kanya ay publiko-serbisyo. Public servant. Dahil kapag nahaluan ng pulitiko, nandyan ang away, nandyan ang ego. Ang sarap ng isang bansang na walang nag-aaway, walang kulay na pinipili. Nagkakaisa, nagmamahalan,” he said. “Ipinagdasal ko ‘tong mabuti. Kung ano po ang desisyon ninyo, palagay ko handa na ako.”
(Politicians serving the country shouldn’t be referred to as politicians. They should be known as public servants. Because when politics get involved, fights and a battle between egos happen. It’s nice to be in a country where it’s not about fights and the color you choose. It’s about unity and love. I prayed for this. No matter what your decision for me is, I think I’m ready.)
Willie Revillame. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Wowowin
The “Wowowin” host declared that he’s ready to do good for his countrymen and thanked Durterte for the trust.
“Handa akong gumawa ng kabutihan, handa akong magsilbi, hindi lang sa bayan, handa akong magsilbi sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong. Again, mahal na Pangulo, maraming salamat sa tiwala,” he said. (I’m ready to do good and serve, not only the country but also help those in need. Again, to our beloved president, thank you for the trust.)
Revillame refused an offer to run for Senate as he noted that his game show “Wowowin” was his priority back in October 2021.
Before his announcement, talks of the TV host’s show transferring to PTV4 caught wind in various circles after photos of his visit to the network’s headquarters in Quezon City and the Presidential Communications Operations Office made rounds on social media.
Details of Revillame’s show have yet to be disclosed to the public, as of this writing.