Tila nagpatutsadahan sa social media sina Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio at Binibining Pilipinas-International 2017 Mariel de Leon.
Ito ay pagkatapos mabigong makapasok sa Top 15 ng Miss International 2017 pageant ang dalagang anak nina Christopher de Leon at Sandy Andolong.
Noong November 14, na araw rin kung kailan ginanap ang Miss International sa Japan, nag-post ng mensahe sa Facebook si Mayor Duterte.
Kalakip ng close-up photo ni Mariel, sinabi ng alkalde na “schadenfreude moment" ang pagkakatalo ng beauty queen.
Ang schadenfreude ay German word na ang ang ibig sabihin, ayon sa Merriam-Webster, ay “enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others.”
Mensahe pa ni Mayor Duterte patungkol kay Mariel, “Meron ako personal experience sa kanya, but I’m too tired to make kwento.
"I believe pageant judges see through the physical beauty and examine the heart.
“Para bang Ms. Venezuela sa Ms. Universe 2016. Parang ganyan.
“This is a schadenfreude moment for me. Sa binisaya pa, ang gabà di gyud magsabà.”
Kahapon, November 16, nag-tweet si Mariel ng tila mensahe niya kaugnay ng Facebook post ni Mayor Duterte.
Wala man siyang direktang binanggit na pangalan, mahihinuhang ang alkalde ng Davao City ang kanyang pinatutungkulan.
Sabi ng beauty queen, “If another person’s 'misfortune' pleases you, it just shows how insecure and unhappy you are with your life.
“It’s okay, maybe one day you’ll be truly happy? I’m sending you good vibes and prayers! ”
If another person’s “misfortune” pleases you, it just shows how insecure and unhappy you are with your life. It’s okay, maybe one day you’ll be truly happy? I’m sending you good vibes and prayers! ????????
— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) November 16, 2017
Bago ito, nag-tweet din ni Mariel na walang naganap na "personal experience or encounter" sa "same building, same event."
Aniya, "Same building, same event, plus group pics. But no personal experience or encounter.
“It’s okay, God knows what (didn’t) happen. I’ll pray for you and I’ll leave it all to Him. ”
Same building, same event, plus group pics. But no personal experience or encounter. It’s okay, God knows what (didn’t) happen. I’ll pray for you and I’ll leave it all to Him. ??
— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) November 16, 2017
Pagkatapos niyang manalo bilang Bb. Pilipinas-International 2017, naging kontrobersiyal si Mariel dahil sa paghahayag ng kanyang saloobin sa ilang napapanahong isyu sa bansa.
Kabilang na rito ang pagkontra niya sa war on drugs ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, ama ni Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Sa kanyang deleted tweet noong Agosto, inilarawan ni Mariel ang mga nagaganap na patayan bilang “Bloody Philippines.”
Mariin din niyang tinutulan ang pagkaka-appoint ng pro-Duterte blogger na si Mocha Uson bilang Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) assistant secretary.
NO REGRETS. Samantala, wala naman daw panghihinayang si Mariel sa naging Miss International journey niya.
Kasabay ng pasasalamat sa mga tagasuporta niya, sinabi ni Mariel sa kanyang Instagram post, “I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, how hard I fought and how much I grew & transformed!
“Strong, empowered, and brave is the new sexy.
“I still have my Miss International Philippines crown and now I can push my limits even more as to what else I can achieve and give to my fellow Filipinos!”
Sabi pa niya sa huli, "I gave my all and I know I did amazing therefore I have no regrets! To God be ALL the glory!"