After Pemberton pardon, Pia Wurtzbach reminds Filipinos: Register to vote

Miss Universe Philippines 2015 Pia Wurtzbach on Monday, September 7 reminded Filipinos to register to vote in the 2022 election. She made the call after President Rodrigo Duterte granted absolute pardon to a United States marine officer who killed a Filipina transgender woman in 2014.

On Monday, Duterte pardoned US marine officer Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted in 2015 for killing Jennifer Laude. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was set to be released 4 years early after he was recently granted full credits of Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) under Philippine law.

Several Filipino celebrities earlier expressed their anger and rage over the decision.

“I’ll never get tired of saying this…,” Pia tweeted, adding the hashtag #TransLivesMatter 5 times.

I'll never get tired of saying this..#TransLivesMatter #TransLivesMatter#TransLivesMatter#TransLivesMatter#TransLivesMatter

— Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey (@PiaWurtzbach) September 7, 2020

“Tuwing nagbabasa ako ng balita, palagi nalang palala ng palala yung mga nababasa ko. Ngayon ito naman? Hay… Eto nalang, let’s all make sure we register to vote for the next elections.  Each one of us,” she said. (Every time I read the news, it seems things are getting worse by the minute. Now, this? Let’s all make sure we register to vote for the next elections. Each one of us.)

Tuwing nagbabasa ako ng balita, palagi nalang palala ng palala yung mga nababasa ko. Ngayon ito naman? Hay… Eto nalang, let's all make sure we register to vote for the next elections. Each one of us.

— Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey (@PiaWurtzbach) September 7, 2020

She also tweeted guides to register for the 2022 polls.

Useful information! Please lahat tayo dapat mag register na maging voter. Bawat isa satin. 🙏 Hindi na sapat na sa social media lang tayo naririnig. Our voices need to be heard thru our votes. #MasMaramiTayo #MagparehistroKa https://t.co/0oUGn497yY

— Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey (@PiaWurtzbach) September 7, 2020

The beauty queen said she’d make it a point to remind people to register to vote, as she reminded followers that trans rights are human rights.

I will continue reminding everyone to register to vote. Dahil sigurado, maraming magpapabukas nito until the last minute. No more excuses (even for me) lahat tayo dapat registered na. Hindi enough na sa social media lang tayo naririnig. #MasMaramiTayo #MagparehistroKa #40MStrong

— Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey (@PiaWurtzbach) September 7, 2020

Trans rights are human rights. PERIOD! #TransLivesMatter

— Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey (@PiaWurtzbach) September 7, 2020

When she started getting attacked for her tweets, Pia on Tuesday, September 8, reminded her followers that she’s used to bashing. 

“I learned that you should never be afraid to speak your mind especially when you know it’s right,” she said.

Pag bukas ko ng Twitter ko nagdagsaan nanaman yung mga bashers. Hahaha. Sanay na sanay na po ako sa ganito. Noon pa man ay binabash na ko, even before Miss U.😊 I learned that you should never be afraid to speak your mind especially when you know it's right. 😊

— Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey (@PiaWurtzbach) September 8, 2020

Pia is vocal supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2022, Filipinos are set to elect a new set of government officials, both for national and local positions. – Rappler.com