Chavit insists: Miss Universe Philippines franchise ‘already with me’

In an interview with Philippine Star, published on Sunday, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson refuted the recent claims of Stella Marquez Araneta and said “the franchise is already with me.”

“It has not yet been announced. I think it shall be formally announced this January or February, when Catriona comes back again to the Philippines,” Singson told columnist Wilson Flores.

According to the politician, Miss Universe has been offered to him after he helped mount the Miss Universe pageant in 2016 in the Philippines. 

“I gave them a non-refundable deposit of $1 million…I gained their trust,” he continued.

Singon further shared that he will help in mounting Miss Universe 2019 in South Korea, which he describes as “unique because for the first time in history, North Korea will participate.” There won’t be any more a swimsuit competition, “only the national costume.”

Talks about the changing ownership of the local franchise swirled when newly crowned Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray flew home in Singson’s private jet.

On January 3 however, Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated chair Stella Marquez- Araneta extinguished talks and firmly said the franchise was still BPCI. — LA, GMA News