Duterte says no to Steve Harvey returning to host ‘Miss Universe 2016’

The world’s biggest beauty pageant will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 30, 2017. Definitely he’s again going to host the Miss Universe. “That’s what he told me: “‘I’m going to talk to Miss Universe because I don’t want him to be the host of the Miss Universe“.

“When I told the president about that, he reacted negatively”.

The DOT official said President Duterte’s hometown Davao City and three other cities- Cebu, Iloilo and Vigan have been chosen as Manila’s co-hosts of the event slated from January 13 to 30. That’s more than enough time to assuage President Duterte about his hesitation on Mr. Harvey’s hosting the event.

After host Steve Harvey accidentally announced the wrong victor at the Miss Universe pageant last December, it makes complete sense that some people wouldn’t want him hosting again. Gutiérrez was crowned before Harvey realized his mistake – that it was actually Wurtzbach who won.

Pia Wurtzbach and Steve Harvey during her coronation as Miss Universe 2016.

“So the President will not get mad, we may add a Filipina to co-host”, Teo said.

It was reported that Harvey has signed the contract a few days prior to his major blunder at the Miss Universe 2015 coronation night last December. “Probably one from the media”. To help minimize traffic build up in Metro Manila, related pageant activities will be held in the provinces.

For security preparation, she said they have been coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

She also noted that the government troops have been designated to take care of the candidates when they visit provinces in the country.

The Philippines hosting the Miss Universe 2016 will cost the private sector 11 million dollars. “For us, the tourist arrivals [will go up] – the tourists [who] will come here after the Miss Universe and during the Miss Universe“, she added. The Tourism Secretary said the group of former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson has so far raised half of that amount as down payment – a requirement of the Miss Universe Organization.

According to Teo, Harvey’s under a five-year contract meaning, he will be the host regardless of Duterte’s opposition.