A photo posted by lupjones (@lupjones) on Jan 22, 2017 at 12:48pm PST

Lupita Jones, the first ever Mexican to win the Miss Universe pageant, denied rumors that she will serve as one of the judges for the 65th Miss Universe competition, set to take place in Manila on January 30.

Speaking with Ahwel Paz of DZMM, Jones, who won the title in 1991, explained that she cannot be part of the panel of judges as she is currently the director of Nuestra Belleza México, Mexico's equivalent of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

"I cannot take part of the judging. I'm [only] here to support my girl, Viva Miss Mexico," she said, referring to their candidate, Miss Universe Mexico Kristal Silva.

A photo posted by lupjones (@lupjones) on Jan 23, 2017 at 3:11am PST

It was earlier announced that previous winners such as Dayanara Torres and Sushmita Sen will serve as judges in the competition.

The Department of Tourism said that they plan for the pageant to act as a "reunion" of former title-holders.

Aside from Jones, Japanese actress and dancer Riyo Mori, who won Miss Universe in 2007, also arrived in Manila ahead of the coronation night next week. She did not mention her role in the pageant, however.