Cristeta Longey Explains Why She Resigned as Miss Universe PH Benguet 2026
CRISTETA LONGEY – Miss Universe Philippines Benguet 2026 resigned from her position, revealing concerns about alleged irregularities within the organization.
She confirmed that she will no longer compete or represent Benguet in the upcoming pageant due to issues with the local Miss Universe Philippines organization. According to Cristeta, she discovered that the organization was already planning to find a replacement for her without informing her, which prompted her to step back.
Cristeta also shared that the organizers accused her of disloyalty after she spoke up about internal issues, including matters related to cash prizes. She explained that after winning her title in October 2025, she immediately began preparations, including fittings, photoshoots, and training, to represent Benguet. However, by January 2026, she was informed that the organization could no longer fully support her participation in the pageant. She was given two options: either extend her reign until 2027 to receive full support or compete in the current year without it. She chose to wait for full support.
Although both parties agreed to release a joint statement addressing the situation, Cristeta said the statement was vague and did not reflect her reality as the titleholder. Weeks turned into months, and despite repeated follow-ups, she received either silence or unclear responses. The lack of transparency and prolonged delays left her feeling unvalued and diminished in her role as Miss Universe Philippines Benguet.
Cristeta emphasized that sometimes standing up for oneself means stepping back when a process no longer aligns with the values and principles that initially inspired you. She expressed gratitude to her supporters for their encouragement and recognition of her worth. She reassured them that this resignation is not the end of her journey, but rather a pause to realign with her priorities and focus on what truly matters.