MANILA – Tourism Undersecretary Kat de Castro said that contrary to what was initially reported, President Rodrigo Duterte is very much open to the idea of Steve Harvey hosting the Miss Universe pageant here in the Philippines next year.

“I think he was just kidding,” De Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday, referring to the President’s previous statement that he does not like Harvey to host Miss Universe.

Duterte doesn't like Steve Harvey to host Miss Universe

“Kasi ‘yung pagkasabi niya na, ‘What, Steve Harvey is going to host it? He’s a disaster,’ tumawa siya after. So sabi ko, ‘Sir, kailangan po talaga si Steve Harvey. Sabi niya, ‘No, I’m very much welcome to have him here in the Philippines,’” she added.

(When he said, ‘What, Steve Harvey is going to host it? He’s a disaster,’ he laughed afterwards. I told him that we need Steve Harvey on the show, and he said, ‘No, I’m very much welcome to have him here in the Philippines.’)

In fact, President Duterte has agreed to cooperate on a “pakulo” (gimmick) with Harvey for the Miss Universe show, a plan conceptualized by De Castro and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

“Kami ni Secretary Martin Andanar, meron kaming gagawing pakulo between the President and Steve Harvey, so abangan niyo po ‘yan (Secretary Martin Andanar and I have come up with a gimmick between the President and Steve Harvey, so watch for it),” she said.

“And the Miss Universe Organization was very much open to that, to that whatever it is we’re planning to do with the President and Steve Harvey.”

In last year’s Miss Universe pageant, Harvey mistakenly announced Ariadna Gutierrez of Colombia as the winner. He returned on stage minutes after ending the show to say that the real Miss Universe is Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines.

Harvey has since apologized to both parties for the mix-up.

DUTERTE AS MISS U JUDGE?

De Castro also addressed questions about President Duterte’s role in the Miss Universe coronation night, particularly if he will be a judge in the pageant.

“Apparently it’s a rule for the Miss Universe Organization not to have a judge from the host country. But I think if it’s the President, that’s going to be another… I think they will make an exception to the rule,” she said.

De Castro stressed, however, that nothing is final yet in relation to the President’s judging stint.

What is certain is that President Duterte will meet all of the Miss Universe candidates on January 23.

“Aside from the courtesy call which we have scheduled with him – it’s going to be on January 23 – with all the girls, I think the Miss Universe Organization is very much welcome to have him on the show,” De Castro said, adding that they have reserved seats for the President.

The next edition of Miss Universe will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on January 30, 2017.