Why did Robin Padilla decline offer to host "Wowowee"?

CEBU, Philippines - Despite positive reviews of his previous “Wowowee” hosting stint, action star Robin Padilla has formally turned down an offer from ABS-CBN to host the network’s popular noontime show.

According to an ABS-CBN news report, Padilla cited his values and beliefs as reasons for his decision to turn down the offer in a letter dated July 12. 

“Mr. Robin Padilla formally notified ABS-CBN of his decision to decline the network’s earlier offer for him to host its ‘Wowowee’ noontime show. Mr. Padilla cited his values and beliefs as the reason for his decision,” said Padilla’s talent manager, Betchay Vidanes.

The formal refusal came on the heels of the reported improvement of the show’s ratings when the popular action star hosted it for two weeks. He was the first male guest host to come onboard (followed by Kanto Boys Luis Manzano, John Lloyd Cruz, and Billy Crawford, then actor Cesar Montano), after its controversial main host Willie Revillame took an indefinite leave from the show.

With Padilla turning down the offer, “Wowowee” is still without a male host which has been its trademark thanks to Revillame. The other strong contender for the position is Cesar Montano, who just signed up with GMA Network on Wednesday.

If “Wowowee” doesn’t find a host, will it bring Revillame back?

There are actually speculations that Revillame will soon end his break and return to “Wowowee.” Pep.ph reported yesterday that he was returning to the show on July 31.

But ABS-CBN was quick to douse the speculations. In a July 15 ABS-CBN report, the network’s corporate communications department said that no agreement has been made between ABS-CBN and Willie.

In related news, Mariel Rodriguez, one of the female hosts of “Wowowee,” admitted to have gone out on a date with Padilla. Earlier, Padilla’s daughter Queenie insinuated in an interview that they were dating.

Rodriguez and Padilla met on “Wowowee,” with the latter making no secret about his admiration for the newly-single actress-TV host. She recently broke up with model-actor Zanjoe Marudo. Padilla’s marriage, on the other hand, ended in divorce two years ago.

They will be having an upcoming sitcom together, with the network obviously capitalizing on their “budding romance.”