Television personality and senatorial hopeful Willie Revillame opened up about his motivations and vision as a candidate in a sit-down interview with Boy Abunda, posted on Revillame’s official Facebook page on Tuesday, May 7.
Asked directly what he plans to bring to the Senate, Revillame answered in earnest: “Gagawa ako ng batas para sa mahirap. Gagawa ako ng kabutihan para sa mga nangangailangan nating kapus-palad na mga kababayan. Makatulong sa ating mga kababayang hikahos ang buhay. ‘Yun ang baon ko—puro kabutihan at walang iniisip na mang-isa, magnakaw, at mali ang gagawin. ‘Yan ang baon ko sa Senado.”
Revillame, a former TV host known for his philanthropic efforts, has previously faced criticism for admitting he entered the senatorial race without formal legislative proposals. However, he reiterated that his priorities are basic but essential: health care, jobs, and education.
“Sa ngayon ang kailangan natin una, is of course, ‘yung health. Dapat ‘yan pinopondohan ng gobyerno. Dapat sana ang mga senior citizens, nabibigyan ng libreng gamot, libreng operasyon, kasi wala namang pera ang mahihirap… Kalusugan, trabaho sa pamilya at edukasyon.”
When Abunda brought up the notion that politics often accelerates a person’s wealth, Revillame was quick to distance himself from such accusations:
“Kung sino man ang gumagawa nun, sana ay nakakatulog sila ng mahimbing. Kasi ako, nakakatulog ako ng mahimbing na wala akong kinatatakutan. Hindi ko sila nanakawan at hindi ako ganyang klase ng tao.”
Revillame said he owes his current status in life to honest work and talent, emphasizing: “Sa tamang paraan. Sa legal. Sa aking talento.”
Despite questions about the depth of his platform, Revillame has garnered strong support. In Pulse Asia’s April 20–24 survey, he ranked between 8th and 14th place, with 28.6 percent of voter preference. On May 6, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano publicly endorsed his candidacy, adding momentum to his independent Senate run.
As Election Day approaches, his message remains consistent: authenticity and compassion over politics as usual.
