Duterte does not want Steve Harvey to host Miss Universe in PHL — Tourism Secretary

Afraid that comedian and former Miss Universe host Steve Harvey will commit another "major, major" blunder?

President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed concern after finding out that American comedian Steve Harvey will once again host the Miss Universe Pageant in 2017 when the competition will held in Philippines.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo revealed this in a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday.

"When I told the President about that, negative agad ang sabi niya: 'Hindi pwede.' That was what he said. And he said: 'I’m going to talk to the Miss Universe na dapat hindi siya.' So, that’s my problem," Teo said.

"That’s what he told me during our meeting with him, 'I’m going to talk to Miss Universe because I don’t want him to be the host of the Miss Universe,'" she repeated.

Harvey made one of the most controversial mistakes on TV in 2015 when he announced that Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez was the winner of the Miss Universe crown. It turned out that the rightful victor was Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach.

Because of his blunder, Gutierrez wore the crown for a few minutes before Harvey corrected himself and announced that Wurtzbach was the right winner. Harvey immediately apologized for his boo-boo.

However, it looks like the Philippines does not have much choice as Harvey has a contract with the Miss Universe organization for five years.

To ease Duterte's reservations, Teo plans to get a female Filipina broadcaster to share hosting duties with Harvey as the President did not also name his preferred host for the most beautiful event in the universe.

"Para medyo hindi talagang magiging—magagalit ang Presidente, siguro maglalagay ako ng a girl from the Philippines that will co-host... probably one from the media," the Tourism Secretary said.

The coronation night of Miss Universe will be held in Philippines on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. — VVP, GMA News