Pia Wurtzbach calls Duterte 'a gentleman'

A photo posted by Pia Wurtzbach | Miss Universe (@piawurtzbach) on Jul 18, 2016 at 3:09am PDT

MANILA – Reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach took to social media to continue her pitch for the staging of the next edition of the international pageant in the country.

In a series of Twitter posts on Wednesday, Wurtzbach expressed optimism that holding Miss Universe in the Philippines will be beneficial to the country, saying it will help boost tourism.

I think having MU in the Philippines would be great to boost tourism. It will definitely showcase the beauty of the Philippines. ❤️

— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) October 12, 2016

She also assured her Twitter followers that President Rodrigo Duterte has been “supportive” of the idea and even called him a “gentleman” as she recalled her meeting with him last July.

When I met our President, he was very much a gentleman. He's supportive in the idea of having the competition in the Philippines. 😊

— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) October 12, 2016

Pushing her argument further, Wurtzbach noted that the President’s common law partner, Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, is a former beauty queen.

By the way, President Duterte's common-law wife is a former beauty queen. Bet you didn't know that. 😉😁✌️️

— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) October 12, 2016

Early this week, Wurtzbach promised that she will do her best to make sure that the next Miss Universe will be held in the country, as previously announced by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

This after leaders of various women’s groups asked the Miss Universe organizing committee to reconsider holding the pageant here. They cited the “objectionable, scandalous and demeaning sexist attitude demonstrated by the newly elected leaders of our country, by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, and his cohorts towards womankind.”

The DOT has maintained that it is still keen on staging Miss Universe in the Philippines despite the petitions.