President-apparent Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III said on Monday he is seriously considering television talk show host Boy Abunda to serve in government if he is willing to sacrifice his career in show business and divest interest from the private sector.

Although Aquino did not name the office where he could possibly appoint Abunda, he hinted that the television host's communication skills and marketing expertise can be utilized in tourism and foreign affairs, citing Abunda's taking of a Masteral Degree in International Relations on Public Diplomacy at the Philippine Women's University.

Eugenio Abunda Jr., in real life, the talk show host underwent seminary formation at the University of Santo Tomas and attended college at the Ateneo de Manila University for Business Management, which he failed to finish.

But Aquino said asking Abunda to serve in public office will be a challenge considering the compensation Abunda gets from being a television personality and a talent manager.

“The problem (in asking him) is considering the compensation aspect: how much he makes a week compared to how much he will get as salary from government service. We are not innocent about how small government employees earn. And it doesn't end at merely getting measly salary, there also comes to a point where one who is considered for a Cabinet post will have to divest from his business and other properties,” Aquino said.

But if Abunda is amenable to whatever it will take to serve in the Aquino administration, Aquino said it is possible for the television host to get a Cabinet-level appointment “or lower as Undersecretary or Assistant Secretary given his credentials and skills.

“More than his being a television icon, I value his ability to communicate and understand the audience. His marketing expertise and very good communication skills will be valuable in marketing both the government and the country,” he added.

Like Aquino's other prospective appointees, Abunda, the senator said, passed the senator's requirements of being “a truthful person, someone you can trust, and someone who shares the same perspective on issues with me.”