DOT wants Duterte to judge Miss Universe

President Rodrigo Duterte may have the chance to choose the successor of reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.

Tourism Undersecretary Kat de Castro said they want no less than the President to judge the Miss Universe when asked what would be Duterte’s role during the pageant.

“I think Miss Universe Organization is very much welcome to have him in the show. Apparently, it’s a rule for Miss Universe Organization not to have a judge from the host country but I think if it’s the President, that’s gonna be another, you know, I think they will make an exception to the rule,” she said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday.

De Castro later clarified that Duterte has yet to respond to their request.

But Duterte would be given a VIP section at the Mall of Asia Arena if he decides to just watch the pageant on January 30 instead.

“Well, I think his men are aware that we would like him to be part of you know, to judge it or just even to watch it. But he has not yet given us a concrete answer altogether,” she said.

“But we have reserved, you know, a VIP section just for the President and to everybody else in Malacañang. Abangan na lang po natin. Hopefully, by the first week of January Asec. [Ricky] Alegre and I will have an answer from the President himself,” she added.

As De Castro may meet Duterte on Monday, she may have the President's answer by then. — VVP, GMA News