December 22, 2025 | 1:30pm
MANILA, Philippines — Businessman-politician Luis “Chavit” Singson said that he might reinstate a key figure once his talks with former Miss Universe Organization (MUO) officials prove to be successful when they meet in the country next month.
In an interview with the media earlier today, Singson said that former MUO executives, Paula Shugart and Shawn McClain, will visit the Philippines next month to talk about the planned acquisition of the pageant.
The former Ilocos Sur governor said that his interest in buying the pageant began with the controversies that surrounded the last Miss Universe pageant held in Thailand.
“Nasira sila sa Mexico. Binintangan sila na parang ‘di ano ang judging so sabi ko bilhin ko na lang,” Singson said.
“Kinausap ko sila Paula (Shugart) at ang executives nila pupunta sila dito next month para makipag-meeting,” he added.
If he will successfully buy MUO, Singson said that he will reinstate Shugart in her position because she is experienced in running the pageant.
“Pinatakbo niya ’yan for so many years, siya nagha-handle niyan,” he said.
Shugart served as the president of the Miss Universe Organization from 1997 until her resignation in 2023.
In 2023, Singson told Philstar.com that he was offered to buy it but he declined.
“Binibigay sa akin pero hindi ko binili kasi masyadong matrabaho. Sabi ko, tutulong na lang ako,” he said.
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