TV personality Willie Revillame has officially declared his candidacy for the Senate in the upcoming 2025 elections, announcing his intention to run as an independent candidate.
In an interview on a TV5 talk show, Revillame stated that no political party has offered him a spot on their senatorial slate, despite earlier speculation that he might join former President Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP-Laban party.
Revillame revealed that Duterte had previously invited him to run for senator, but he was not ready at the time. “Ipinatawag niya ako, gusto n’ya akong tumakbong senador before. Hindi pa ako handa,” he said. This time, however, he is ready to give it a try, emphasizing that his campaign is a test of the public’s support.
In the interview, Willie mentioned that he had discussed his senatorial aspirations with several key political figures, including Vice-President Sara Duterte and Senators Bong Go and Raffy Tulfo. He expressed the importance of gathering advice from established politicians, stating, “Okey naman silang lahat. Positive.”
Willie also highlighted his connections within TV5, noting that he has consulted with network executives about his plans for the election. He aims to continue his television commitments until February 10, after which he will focus on his campaign.
If elected, Revillame plans to juggle his responsibilities between the Senate and his TV program. He stated, “Kapag nanalo ako at naging senador, three days akong magtatrabaho sa Senate, and the rest of the week ay sa TV5.”
However, he expressed skepticism about the legislative process, questioning the impact of existing laws on the lives of the poor. “Ang dami nang batas na ginawa, nabago ba ang buhay ng mahihirap?” he asked, suggesting a focus on direct public service rather than just legislative work.
Despite his ambition, Revillame acknowledged the possibility of withdrawing his candidacy if he feels overwhelmed by the demands of campaigning and the toll it takes on his health. “Kasi nararamdaman ko, eh (kung ayaw na niyang ituloy). Parang ‘di ko talaga kaya ‘to,” he explained.
He indicated that public interest and support will ultimately determine whether he continues his run for office. “Titingnan ko rin, nasa mga tao naman ‘to kung gusto nila ako,” he said.
Revillame emphasized that his decision to run for Senate is rooted in his desire to help others, stating, “Masaya na ako sa buhay ko, eh. I’m so blessed. Mas mabe-blessed siguro ako kapag itong blessing na meron ako, isine-share ko na lang.”
With a substantial following of over 17 million on Facebook and 7.9 million on YouTube, he believes that his influence can translate into meaningful contributions for the Filipino people.
