On 27th May 2020, there was news that circulated around the pageantry that Miss Eco International 2019 Suheyn Cipriani of Peru has been officially stripped of the crown for violating the terms as she got pregnant while fulfilling her reign. Although the organizers have not made any announcement yet, many media houses have posted this information at a dizzying speed because this is one of the rare cases at a beauty contest.
As the first runner-up of Miss Eco International 2019 Maureen Montagne was supposed to get the crown but recently, on her social media account, Maureen, who is vying for one of the crowns at Binibining Pilipinas, said that she must honor the commitment she made to the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI).
She stated, "First and foremost, I want to say that this past year, I have poured my heart and soul to Binibining Pilipinas. I am eternally grateful for everyone’s support on my pageant journey and I would like to say – I’m sticking with it. I have made a commitment to the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated [whole]heartedly and I will continue to chase my dreams of competing on the BBP stage in the hopes of representing our country on the international stage."
Maureen thanked the entire Miss Eco International Organization for giving her an opportunity like this but deep down knows what’s right in her heart and she would like to do that. She also wished the queen who will take over Miss Eco International 2019 Suheyn Cipriani’s crown and duties with a wonderful reign. She also mentioned that she hopes everyone is safe and healthy during these trying times. “Always remember to follow your dreams”.
Maureen’s step back from taking over the crown was not appreciated by Miss World Philippines National Director Arnold Vegafria who expressed his disappointment and sadness that the diva decided to move ahead with a national pageant and didn’t respect the one she has won. On his social media account, he posted, “ Being the next in line, Maureen was automatically qualified to wear the prestigious crown which would have brought glory to our country, would have given her the rare opportunity to become a United Nations ambassador for ecotourism, and possibly would’ve made pageant history with the country’s back-to-back wins for Miss Eco International,”
The National director who was very sad to hear Maureen’s decision to move ahead with Binibining Pilipinas 2020, further said, “What disappointed me even more was that she chose to join another local pageant instead—without even according proper courtesy to the [MWP] and Miss Eco International Organizations. This is a clear violation of the prestigious international pageant’s rules and regulations since her tenure has not yet formally ended. Her conduct unbecoming of a pageant queen is a clear deterrent to her loftier aspirations for yet another crown. Despite all these, I still send her my blessings and wish her luck in her future endeavors.”
In the comments section, Miss Eco International founder Amaal Rezk also shared her grief towards Maureen by replying, “Very disappointed”. Maureen is yet to comment on Arnold Vegafria's post regarding her abdication of the potential title. The Miss Eco International Organization has announced that Amy Tinie Abdul Aziz of Malaysia will be taking the throne.