Maxine Medina on killings, war on drugs: ‘Let’s trust our president’

The six Binibining Pilipinas queens faced the press on Wednesday, August 3, months ahead of their respective international pageants and fielded questions that might be thrown at them should they reach the Q&A portion.

With the Miss Universe pageant quizzing the candidates about provocative topics—as seen in Pia Wurtzbach being pressed to formulate an opinion on foreign military presence in the Philippines— the media asked the beauty queens to share their thoughts on President Rodrigo Duterte and his aggressive campaign against drugs.

Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2016 Maxine Medina, in particular, was asked about her stance on the killings connected to President Duterte's war on crime.

Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Maxine Medina (center) is flanked by Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International Nicole Cordoves (left) and Bb. Pilipinas-International Kylie Verzosa (right) during a press event on August 3, 2016. Photos: Aya Tantiangco

Medina prefaced her answer by saying that she's reading about the subject extensively and has been consulting with her family, friends, and trainers about how to handle delicate questions.

"I ask them what can I say in front of the camera, in the media [that] won't hurt anybody. How will I deliver [my message] to [the people]," Medina said.

She ultimately said, "I think he [President Duterte] will suggest whatever is good for us, for everyone. With this situation, let's just keep our heads up and let's trust our president."

Thoughts on Duterte

Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond, meanwhile, positively remarked on the President Duterte's "upfront and transparent" nature and confessed that she's pro-Duterte.

"Whatever he says, he'll do it," Hammond said. "We've seen a lot of changes in a short amount of time. I'm really excited about the next six years and for all of the changes he'll be doing."

Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2016 Nichole Manalo said that she's also expecting change, as President Duterte promised during the campaign, and added, "Feeling ko ang Philippines, talagang maaangat ni Duterte."

Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves was a little more conservative with her answer.

"It's good that we finally have a president with a strong mandate and strong political capital, but at the same time I'm cautiously optimistic." Cordoves told the press. "We have to make sure that our voice is still heard [and] the rule of law is strictly followed. We need to still look out for each other."

From left: Jennifer Hammond, Nichole Manalo, Joanna Louise Eden, Nicole Cordoves, Maxine Medina, and Kylie Verzosa.

"I would also like to see a focus on education," Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2016 Joanna Louise Eden chimed in. "[If] there is more focus on education, we'd be a much more developed country."

For Binibining Pilipinas International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, the most interesting aspect of the President is his push for federalism.

"I'm looking forward to how he's going to do it and how he's going to administer it," Verzosa said. She also feels positive about the campaign against drugs, saying that it's about time that someone addressed the issue.

"I'm looking forward to what he does for the country and I believe it's going to be a great run," she added. — BM, GMA News