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Miss Universe PH releases statement on non-payment allegations

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Peter Andrew Acierto

<div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization denied the allegations thrown at them by Filipino designer Jef Albea in his Facebook post. The said designer alleged that he didn’t receive any payment from the MUPH organizers for the trophies he designed for the pageant.</span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8JvL5gygvC/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A4290553.599999994%2C%22ls%22%3A4290251.5%2C%22le%22%3A4290536.400000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1044" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Falbea%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0V1yzSb6Npa1aiZEFMrofedy7pYybZwRuzNq4x2UyQiJ4W1vdRuhdGShob6XA7NNdl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="562" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“They refused to pay me for the trophies I designed and crafted for the coronation night. All the effort, dedication and passion I put in creating these pieces, ended up ignored and disregarded when payment was due,” Jeff said in his post.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/5/24/chelsea-manalo-shares-thoughts-after-miss-universe-philippines-win-1703" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/5/24/chelsea-manalo-shares-thoughts-after-miss-universe-philippines-win-1703" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: </strong></a></span><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/5/24/chelsea-manalo-shares-thoughts-after-miss-universe-philippines-win-1703" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Chelsea Manalo shares thoughts after Miss Universe Philippines win</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">He maintained that despite putting it out in the public, he will not be accepting any “centavo” coming from the prestigious organization as he only wanted to let people know his experience.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In their official statement, the MUPH Organization maintained they had “communications” with the artist’s staff regarding the payment for his creations. </span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“We categorically deny that the MUPh Org. neither refused to pay, disregarded or ignored payment for the trophies. In accordance with the standard procedure of billing for suppliers to sponsors, MUPh needs proper documentation for the said transaction,” they shared in the official statement.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The organization added that they will pursue legal action if needed for this “unfounded accusation.”</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“We urge the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and have faith that the truth will ultimately prevail,” they ended.</span></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid0wYyLvapRQM63mAwhjD96Q6155C8zJVKxoPZhidYjFW55XzmHo2QXLJGZDPwrwVwYl%26id%3D1347467325&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="296" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Meanwhile, head of production Borg Roxas debunked the accusations thrown at the MUPH organization in his personal Facebook post. He shared in his statement how they paid the Filipino designer for his creation last year and is already in the process for his payment this year as he was cut off from the May 31 deadline. </span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“First, last year at The Miss Philippines finals, we paid him 150,000 pesos without any OR. Naisip namin na magandang gift sya sa mga winners para hindi lang yung crystal trophy na mura lang ang souvenir items ng mga winners. Nagbayad naman ang production agad kasi konti lang suppliers,” Borg wrote.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“During the MUPh finals, magulo na lahat sa backstage. I admit na kausap namin si Sir Jef. Pero on the day of the finals pinadala yung mga artwork, and on that day din namin nalaman through his asst na need magbayad ng 75,000 pesos,” he recalled.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Borg alleged that the staff is fixing all the billings as they have several suppliers that need to be paid as well. All other suppliers that sent their invoices prior to May 22 have already been paid.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“With Sir Jef, aside from we are paying him, we are also promoting him. We never promoted any other suppliers kasi natuwa kami na he was willing to help elevate the gifts for the winners. Nakakalungkot lang na nagpopost na agad sya na magkausap naman sila ng staff. Hindi sya nakasama sa May 30 cut off kasi walang papers.  Kaya sa June 15 cut off sya nakasama kasi magkausap sila ng staff,” he shared.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/5/24/stacey-gabriel-dedicates-muph-journey-to-mom-2308" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/5/24/stacey-gabriel-dedicates-muph-journey-to-mom-2308" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: </strong></a></span><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/5/24/stacey-gabriel-dedicates-muph-journey-to-mom-2308" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Stacey Gabriel dedicates MUPH journey to mom: ‘At the end of the day, all roads lead to the warmth of your embrace’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The production head reasoned out that they needed to fix all the paperworks as they need “proper documentation” and assured everyone that the organization isn’t running away from its obligations.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Again, hindi ang MUPh ang nagkamali dito. Sa production side, kailangan namin idefend sa management kahit walang billing or invoice. Nag yes naman agad management sa amin. Pero sa usual na may billing and proper documentation lang para pag dating sa filing ng taxes, madefend namin ang expenses. Lahat naman mababayaran,” he ended.</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Meanwhile, several netizens have mixed reactions about the issue and are expressing their thoughts on social media about the fiasco.</span></div><div><br/></div>

Miss Universe Philippines releases statement on non-payment allegations

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Miss Universe Philippines releases statement on non-payment allegations

Drew Acierto

Published June 13, 2024 07:36 PM PHT

Read More:

Jef Albea

Miss Universe Philippines

MUPH

Borg Roxas

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