It looks like Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is still upset with Miss Universe host Steve Harvey. Duterte has expressed displeasure with Harvey hosting the show and said he doesn't want him to host the grand finale of Miss Universe 2016, which will be held in the Philippines.
During a press event on Thursday, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo told the media that Duterte is not happy with Harvey hosting the finale of the beauty pageant and would talk to the Miss Universe organisers about it.
"When I told the President about that, he gave a negative response. He said, 'That can't be!'" Teo told the media at Malacañang Palace. "That's what he told me: 'I'm going to talk to Miss Universe because I don't want him to be the host of the Miss Universe'."
But it is unlikely that Harvey will be dropped as host of Miss Universe 2016, as he has a five-year contract with the beauty pageant organisation. He reportedly signed the contract before hosting the Miss Universe 2015, which happened in December.
Teo, meanwhile, said that they are trying to solve the problem and might get a local personality to host the show along with Harvey.
"Perhaps I would look for a girl from the Philippines that will co-host. Probably one from the media," she added.
Last year, Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner of Miss Universe 2015, instead of Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. He later apologised for the error and said that "the card had the correct name and he took full responsibility for the mistake."
But this error has not gone down well with most of the people in the Philippines, including Duterte.
Meanwhile, at the press meet, Teo also revealed that Miss Universe 2016 beauty pageant will take place on Jan. 30, 2017, in the Philippines. Contestants will arrive in the country Jan. 13 onwards. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach will pass her crown to her successor.