Rody OKs Philippines hosting of Miss U pageant
MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte has given the green light to the country’s hosting of the Miss Universe pageant on Jan. 30, 2017 as long as the government will not shoulder the expenses of the beauty tilt.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the President initially frowned upon hearing that the Miss Universe pageant would cost the country about $11 million.
But after getting assurances that the government would not be shelling out a single centavo with the private sector footing the bill, Duterte agreed to the hosting.
It was Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo who said that the expenses would be shouldered by the private sector.
“Basically, when it was first broached to the President, he said it is going to be expensive… up to the tune of $11 million. That was his assumption,” Abella told reporters.
“I think he has been assured this time that the Philippine government will not be giving out a single centavo except of course in terms of certain services, protection, security. But not in actual cash out,” Abella said.
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