Vice Ganda has once again brushed off renewed calls for him to run for president in the 2028 elections, stressing that talk about his supposed candidacy should not be taken seriously.
The topic came up in the Jan. 23 episode of “It’s Showtime,” where the hosts jokingly discussed speculation that Vice Ganda could be pushed to seek the country’s highest office.
Anne Curtis recalled being asked by her friends about Vice Ganda’s plans to run for office, saying, “Kapag tinatanong ako ng mga kaibigan ko, ‘Do you think Vice will run?’ Sabi ko, masyado siyang maganda ngayon, ayaw niyang i-stress ang self niya!”
Vice Ganda quickly played along, responding, “No! I am so beautiful and happy and you know, peace is surrounding me!” Curtis readily agreed.
The banter escalated when Jhong Hilario jokingly chanted, “Pres. Ganda! Pres. Ganda!” as if campaigning for Vice Ganda. The comedian, however, immediately shut down the jokes.
“Hoy, tama na ‘yang mga biro-biro na ‘yan. Nagbibiruan lang po kaming magkakapatid! ‘Wag kayong nagpapaniwala. Ma-ba-bash na naman ako ng mga alaga nu’ng mga tatakbo, akala nila totoong tatakbo ako. Naku, ‘wag niyo po akong sinasama sa mga ganiyan,” said the comedian.
Despite Vice Ganda’s repeated denials, calls for him to consider a presidential bid resurfaced recently, particularly amid discussions of the 2028 elections and a possible matchup against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Award-winning writer Jerry Gracio publicly expressed support for a hypothetical Vice Ganda presidency in a Jan. 13 post, praising the entertainer’s perceived integrity and connection with ordinary Filipinos.
“Seryoso ako sa Vice Ganda for President ha. Hindi siya corrupt, nakatapak ang paa niya sa lupa, alam niya ang likaw ng bituka ng masa dahil masa siya, hindi bahagi ng politikal na dinastiya, hindi politiko, hindi elite, hindi nakahulma sa lahat ng tradisyonal na politika na alam natin,” Gracio wrote on social media.
Acclaimed director Lav Diaz also voiced support for Vice Ganda’s possible candidacy during a September 2025 episode of “Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast,” hosted by directors Antoinette Jadaone and JP Habac. (Jessica Ann Evangelista © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
