Miss Planet Philippines National Director Wilbert Tolentino claimed that Miss Planet International 2023 Maria Luisa Varela received an advantage during the pageant held in Cambodia on January 29.
In a message he passed to the Entertainment News Portal, Tolentino said that Varela pushed to participate in the pageant despite his request not to support the said pageant after what happened in Uganda last November.
He accused the new national director of the organization, Miki Antonio of paying a hefty amount of money so the Philippines could win the crown.
“So, eto na nga mga Marites, Huwag po muna tayo mag diwang sa pagka panalo ang Miss Planet Philipines sa International stage ng MPI. FYI lang po guys, bayad po ang Korona ang na panalunan ng Miss Planet Philippines at alam na nya final Question. bago cya lumipad ng #Cambodia para sumabak ng MPI.” Tolentino said.
He also showed several screenshots of the alleged conversation with Antonio in the past, giving a warning to Tolentino about the CEO of Miss Planet International.
“Mukhang pera si Hailey of Cambodia siya ang me Ari nyan. Ako ang inoffer ko is 6 crows from Philippines ako nagpagw ang 6 crowns nung first edition. Baka perahan si sir Wilbert,” the conversation reads.
Tolentino also showed his message to Varela, giving her a warning not to go to Cambodia to participate in the pageant.
Another post by Tolentino showed alleged evidence that the questions for the Q&A were given in advance in exchange for money.
“Deserve mo etong post ko. Dahil bukod sa pag bypass nyo sa akin ng K*pal mong National Director si Miki Antonio. wala parin kayong modo at sobra kayong mabastos at kayo pa galit galitan.” Wilbert said.
“You must atleast mag pasintabi or courtesy call sa akin kung may pangarap ka maging Beauty Queen baka ma consider ko pa at gawan pa kta release paper agad agad. Sana inicip nyo rin yan bago kayo sumabak sa #Cambodia kung meron ba kayo matatapakan ng tao.” he added.
Wilbert also insisted that he’s still the national director of Miss Planet Philippines and not Antonio.
“Kaya kht balik baliktarin natin ang dokumento ako parin ang NATIONAL DIRECTOR ng MISS PLANET PHILIPPINES. Klaro po tayo?” he said.
As of writing, Valera and Antonio have yet to release a statement to the accusations of Tolentino.