Imelda Schweighart steps down as Miss Philippines-Earth

MANILA, Philippines – Imelda Schweighart on Monday voluntarily resigned as Miss Philippines-Earth.

Organizers of Miss Earth and Miss Philippines-Earth, Carousel Productions, subsequently accepted Schweighart’s resignation.

Schweighart's resignation came after failing to win the Miss Earth title and after her controversial statements.

Miss Ecuador Katherine Espin was named Miss Earth 2016 and Schweighart failed to make it to the Top 16 last Saturday. Soon after, a video posted by a netizen showing Schweighart approaching her supporters and criticizing the winner went viral. 

The Philippine candidate on Monday apologized for her statement, saying what she said was “unmindful.” She said she only meant to say the newly-crowned Miss Earth 2016 had had cosmetic procedures done on parts of her body.

“Hindi ko naman mini-mean na malait siya (Espin). Actually, she said it herself na she underwent surgery but how I said it... I was so unmindful while I was saying it,” Schweighart said in a televised phone patch interview with CNN.

“And If it’s a crime to tell the truth I’m sorry,” she said.

Schweighart explained that she was talking to her supporters, with whom she is comfortable. She said a bystander took a video of her from afar and posted that online.

Miss Philippines’ gown allegedly stolen

The Philippine bet said the statement was supposed to be private. She, however, said she is not bitter but only offended, because her gown was "stolen".

“Akala ko lang they would understand but someone took a video from afar and post it online,” Schweighart said.

“Honestly, I’m not bitter I'm just offended… Why? Because the gown I was supposed to wear was given to Ecuador. I fitted the gown,” she said.

Schweighart said the yellow gown worn by Espin was taken from the Philippines’ cubicle since the designer failed to finish Espin's.

Schweighart also said Miss Earth-Guam let her borrow her own gown becayse she was left with nothing to wear.

“It wasn't explained to me at that time. It was just taken away from me, I have nothing to wear,” she said.

A video of Schweighart wearing the controversial gown was also posted on her Facebook page.

Schweighart lamented that she was being bashed for her comments.

“Seriously, I wouldn’t be here in this industry if I have a bad attitude because I wouldn’t endure the pain if I am what they say I am,” she said.

She stressed that she did not mean to offend Miss Ecuador whom she does not know very well.

Weeks before the pageant, Schweighart was also in hot water and drew flak after she likened President Rodrigo Duterte to former German leader Adolf Hitler.

"Oh my God! Our president is doing Hitler stuff here in the Philippines," she said in a video with the contestant from Austria.  That video also went viral.