Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach wants to enter politics - Drilon

Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is interested in entering politics, Senate President Franklin Drilon said Monday.

Drilon said Wurtzbach intimated this to him after the ceremony honoring her for winning the much-coveted crown in December.

“You know, given her politically conscious responses to the questions, I am not surprised. You know the question was very political – the presence of the American bases, the presence of American troops, the matter of the HIV, her views on a number of critical issues,” Drilon said at a press conference.

The Senate chief was referring to Wurtzbach’s answers during the question and answer portion of the Miss Universe pageant last month.

But Drilon said he advised the Filipina beauty queen to first try some appointed position where she could push her advocay before running for elections.

“I have advised her that if she’s really interested in joining government, she would be a very strong advocate of issues that she has expressed her opinions on, to first try her hand in some appointed position where she can push her advocacy, rather than join the politics in an election,” he said.

He said it is better because it would allow her to “really push her advocacies, rather than get involved in the very nasty business of politics, especially local politics.”

Among Wurtzbach’s advocacies are the campaign against HIV and gender equality.

Still, the Senate leader said he admires Wurtzbach for her intention.

“That’s very admirable, for her to have stated that. Given the political divide that we see today, for her to express her interest in politics is something that is admirable for a young woman,” he said.

Asked if he would invite the beauty queen to join Liberal Party, Drilon replied: “She is interested in her advocacy, in pushing her advocacies. That should not be necessarily equated with joining a political party.”

Earler in the day, the Senate handed to the 26-year old Wurtzbach a resolution honoring her for clinching the Miss Universe crown.

The resolution states the Filipina beauty queen’s positive attitude and strong determination to fulfill her dream despite her defeats are positive example and great inspiration to the people, particularly the youth, that no dream is impossible as long as one puts her or his heart and mind in it.

“Her firm belief that being a Miss Universe is both an honor and responsibility to humanity as well as an opportunity to show the universe that she is confidently beautiful with a heart is a clear manifestation of her deep concern over the fate of her fellowmen,” it states.

The Miss Universe crown was last worn by a Filipina 42 years ago.  — RSJ, GMA News