Ang mga kandidatang palaban sa pageant ay nagsasalita ng kanilang isipan sa paunang panayam ng pageant
Habang malapit na ang deadline para sa pagpaparehistro ng botante at ang mga Pilipino ay nakaharap sa isa pang panahon ng halalan, isang bilang ng mga kandidato ng Miss Universe Philippines 2021 ang binigyang diin ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng isang mahusay na pamahalaan.
Sa paunang panayam ng pageant na ipinalabas sa KTX noong Biyernes, Setyembre 24, binigyan ang mga kandidato ng 30 segundo upang sagutin ang bawat isa sa limang mga katanungan.
Ang pang-apat na tanong ay: “Kung may kapangyarihan kang gawin ang isa sa mga sumusunod: alisin ang kahirapan at gutom, isang gobyerno na walang graft at katiwalian, o lutasin ang lahat ng mga problema sa kapaligiran, alin ang pipiliin mo?”
Ang kinatawan ng Davao del Sur na si Jedidah Herfevez Korinihona ay kabilang sa mga kandidato na pumili ng isang hindi korap na gobyerno, na binibigyang diin na ang darating na halalan ay isang pagkakataon para sa mga botante na pumili ng mas mahusay na mga pinuno.
“I believe that in the coming election for next year, I really need to amplify the fact that we need to vote not just strong leaders, but leaders who possess the qualities of wise leadership, and I think that’s one thing that we need to amplify right now,”sabi niya.
Maraming mga kandidato ang nagsabi na ang isang mabuting pamahalaan ay malulutas ang maraming iba pang mga problema.
“I strongly believe that everything stems from the top, so if we have good governance with no corruption and we have great leaders that are seated, it’s easy for us to remove poverty and also tackle the issue about environment,” sinabi ng representante ng Ablay na si Janela Joy Cuaton.
“I would definitely choose the second, a government with no graft and corruption, because they can touch on both of the issues mentioned. They can help the environment by allocating enough funds, and they can also help the people by being fair and being just,” sinabi ni Michelle Angela Navarro Okol ng Siargao Island.
“I would choose a government without corruption, because if you don’t have corruption, we would also not see the poverty, we would see a government that takes care of its people, we would see a government who prioritizes safety, healthcare, and then of course our environment, which is all very important,” sinabi ng kandidata mula sa Pangasinan na si Maureen Wroblewitz.
“I think [corruption] has always been the issue, and if there is no corrupt government, I think we would be able to solve poverty,” sagot ng kandidata mula Negros Oriental na si Grace Charmaine Vendiola.
Sinabi din ng ilang mga kandidato na ang isang mabuting pamahalaan ay magagawang magbigay pagasa sa mga tao at pamayanan, at makakatulong lumikha ng isang mas mahusay na mundo para sa mga tao.
“I would probably choose to eliminate graft and corruption in the government, because I believe that as people we have so much power to do more, and if we can start with the people in power to do things maybe better, do things transparently, and do things with more accountability, then perhaps we can address all the other issues that are affecting us today,” sagot ng representante ng San Juan City na si Ayn Bernos.
“I think I would rather solve the problem with the government because the government, they help us become productive in every other aspect within our community and that’s why I think that is the problem that I would love to address above everything else,” ang sabi ng kandidata mula sa Marinduque na si Simone Nadine Bornilla.
“I would eliminate graft and corruption from the government, because with a government that allows us to use our own power as people, we would be able to develop into our own power as a country, especially coming from a third world country. If we have a government that allows us to use our own power, then we will become a better nation,” ang sagot ni Maria Ingrid Teresita Santamaria ng Parañaque.
“I would choose to eliminate corruption in our government, because in that way we are able to uplift the poor, we are able to see what we can do for the marginalized sectors in our society, and once we do that we are able to have leaders who can make a better world, who can make a better society for everyone and I think that is one of the ways that we become a better world and we have something to look forward to, we become a beautiful nation,” sinabi ni Chella Grace Falconer mula sa Misamis Oriental.
Matapos ang isang mahabang pageant na paglalakbay na ginawang halos online dahil sa COVID-19 pandemya, ang mga kandidato ng Miss Universe 2021 ay magpapaligsahan sa coronation night, na gaganapin sa Panglao, Bohol sa Setyembre 30.
Ang paunang top 30 ay naging 28, matapos magkaroon ng sakit ang dalawang kandidato – si Joanna Marie Rabe ng Zambales dahil sa dengue fever, at Ybonne Ortega ng Davao City.
Si Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo ang magpapasa ng korona sa kanyang kahalili. Ang mananalo ay magpapatuloy na kumatawan sa Pilipinas sa international pageant, na gaganapin sa Israel sa Disyembre.