Filipina beauty queen Mariel de Leon told talk show host Boy Abunda last night that she has no regrets criticizing famous pro-Duterte blogger and communications assistant secretary Mocha Uson when she was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte last May.
De Leon, who competed and lost in the Miss International pageant last month, got bashed by the DDS (Duterte Diehard Supporters) after tweeting that “there are so many other unbiased, educated and respected (and respectful) people who deserve her place.”
She also said that Uson, who had no previous government experience before her appointment, “insults those who disrespect her.”
When Abunda asked De Leon if she regretted making the comments that got her trolled, she replied without hesitation, “no.” She added, “if I didn’t post that, then I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am today with all the things happening right now.”
De Leon explained that she was talking to friends about it when the news of Uson’s appointment broke and didn’t realize that her tweet would provoke Uson and Duterte’s fans to lash out at her. “I was just being myself, honestly. I just want to voice an opinion which I think I have the right to do. I think everyone has the right to do that.”
While the competition may be over, she’s not very keen on meeting the woman she criticized.
“It’s not that I am totally pushing myself away from politics, more of I’m focusing on myself more and the things I can do with my life, and what I want to do with my life,” De Leon told Abunda.
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