President Rodrigo Duterte has invited television host Willie Revillame to run for senator in the 2022 national elections.
A video greeting over the weekend showed Duterte urging the Wowowin host to pursue politics.
“Willie, si mayor ‘to. Kumusta ka? Matagal na tayong ‘di nagkita, pero palagi kitang naaalala dahil gusto ko sanang maging senador ka,” Duterte said in his greeting.
Duterte said he would reserve a spot for Revillame in the administration’s senatorial bets in 2022.
“Sabi ni Bong (Go) nagdadalawang isip ka. Pero gayunpaman, open ang slot mo until the last minute,” he said.
“Kung ayaw mo na talaga e di puwede na tayong mag-usap ulit…Bilib ako sa appeal mo sa masa,” he added.
On Monday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte had also invited Revillame to seek the presidency.
“Ang sabi nga po niya, ‘tumakbo ka ng presidente,’ pero sa bandang huli rin sabi rin po niya na pupuwedeng magpresidente si Willie Revillame. It’s a video greeting of sorts ‘no so hindi po iyon new meeting between Willie Revillame and the president,” he said. John Ezekiel J. Hirro