Remember that the initial appointed representative for Phillipines, Herlene Budol withdrew from the pageant back in December 2022 after she arrived the initial venue in Uganda. Well, someone else was appointed to replace her, Maria Luisa Varela.

Here is the snag.

The owner of the Miss Planet franchise in the Philippines denies sending a replacement. Stating that as the owner of the franchise, only her has the final say on who represents the country. That said, she has no representative for this year’s competition after the withdrawal of Miss Budol.

Manager for Herlene Budol who withdrew said he is disappointed that she is being replaced.

The chosen one, Maria Luisa Varela has spoken up to reiterate that she is ready to advance to Cambodia to make her country proud. Maria Luisa Varela was initially scheduled to contest in Miss Star International holding in Bali, Indonesia. That event has been postponed.

The list of participating contestants is on the pageant’s official website.