Mariel De Leon roars, vows to remain vocal about controversial issues

Binibining Pilipinas International 2017 Mariel De Leon on Tuesday engaged her followers in a lively debate about her new role as a representative of the country on a global stage.

"Receiving messages saying I shouldn't speak up like that otherwise I won't win the Int'l crown. Uh... So para sa inyo, Crown over Country???" De Leon said on Twitter.

Fans expressed their worry over her Twitter posts that were critical of the government.

"I love my country. It breaks my heart to know that the Philippines has come to this. I'm proud to wear the sash that says 'Philippines' but I hope that change will come. And I hope that I can use my voice and my platform to be part of that change," De Leon wrote in two consecutive tweets.

Fake and biased news will just bring our country down deeper than the dirt on our feet.

— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) May 9, 2017

The beauty queen had expressed her dismay over Mocha Uson's appointment as assistant secretary in the Presidential Communications Operations Office. Her initial tweet on the subject was replaced with a new link on Wednesday.

Although she received worried comments from fans, De Leon put her foot down and declared that as a beauty queen, she will not back down from tough issues and she'll use her position to effect change.

"That's why we're not evolving. Because some people care more about the superficial than what really matters. It's always Country over Crown," she asserted.

(1/2) There are so much issues happening in our country now so I'm glad that I have the platform now to voice out my opinions.

— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) May 9, 2017

(2/2) See, beauty pageants aren't just for "standing there and looking pretty".

— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) May 9, 2017

I'm not the type na puro showbiz lang. I'm not afraid to voice my opinions on issues that matter. I'm not afraid to be criticized for it.

— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) May 9, 2017

Although the beauty queen remained firm, she encouraged people to share ideas and to "educate, not belittle and insult."

On Thursday, she continued with this theme in mind by sharing the definition of democracy.

If you don't know, now you know. pic.twitter.com/KtM2rsWbgC

— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) May 10, 2017

De Leon, daughter of veteran actors Christopher De Leon and Sandy Andolong, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International on April 30.

She inherited the title from Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, who herself is a vocal advocate of her own cause, mental health awareness. —Aya Tantiangco/KG, GMA News