Mariel de Leon might be the newest Miss International Philippines but she is willing to give up her crown for her country.
The beauty queen aired her sentiments on Twitter over the appointment of former sex vlogger Mocha Uson as Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) secretary.
President Rodrigo Duterte appoints Mocha Uson as PCOO assistant secretary
Before she lamented, Mariel retweeted Jan Belmonte’s tweet saying: “Our government is legitimizing its fake news campaign.Wala na talagang hiya, harap-harapan ang lokohan.”
After that, the 23-year-old retweeted the photo that was posted by The Philippine Star, showing a letter addressed to Mocha.
“What is happening Philippines,” she wrote on her caption.
The beauty queen then asked by her fan about her view with Mocha’s appointment. Mariel replied, “I love my country so it breaks my heart to know someone like her got a position in the govt.”
She added, “There are so many other unbiased, educated, and respected (and respectful) people who deserve her place. There are so many other unbiased, educated, and respected (and respectful) people who deserve her place.”
Another fan asked Mariel: “‘Someone like her?’ How do you define ‘her?’ To which the beauty queen responded, “Biased and disrespectful. She insults those who are against her.”
Mariel continued, “I’m not for [Mocha], I’m not for the other side (whatever that may be), I am for the truth and I am for my country.”
Mariel also expressed her dismay on Mocha’s appointment, “I hope that change will come. And I hope that I can use my voice and my platform to be part of that change. Fake and biased news will just bring our country down deeper than the dirt on our feet. Politics and corruption is poison for the soul of our country.”
Country over crown
As a beauty queen, Mariel shared her belief on why we, Filipinos, are not evolving: “Before some people care more about the superficial than what really matters. It’s always Country over Crown.”
Mariel also revealed that’s she has received messages saying she shouldn’t speak about politics; otherwise, she won’t win Miss International. She asked these opposers: “So para sa inyo, Crown over Country?”
In the end, the beauty queen introduced herself to the public: “I’m not the type na puro showbiz lang. I’m not afraid to be criticized for it.”
She then emphasized, “There are so much issues happening in our country now so I’m glad that I have the platform now to voice out my opinions.
“See, beauty pageants aren’t just for ‘standing there and looking pretty.’”
