Social media users call out children of political clans, contractors who flaunt their wealth

Lavish lifestyle called out

Amid the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in anomalous flood control projects, social media users have turned their attention to the children of politicians and major contractors—many of whom are also content creators—for showcasing their lavish lifestyles, frequent travels, and collections of luxury bags and high-end fashion.

Much of the content—now made unavailable to the public as these said children have deactivated or switched their accounts to private—is being reposted across social media platforms and forums. Other users have also started digging deeper, identifying more personalities from wealthy families to call out.

"Karamihan ng sangkot sa flood control controversy ay mga nasa political dynasty. See. Walang mabuting political dynasty. Lahat ng lugar na may dynasty, mahirap. Kaya sana matuto na sa 2028," an X user wrote.

"I hate cancel culture before, but I am happy na ina-apply natin ngayon sa mga families of those involved in flood control projects. Let’s normalize shaming those flaunting their so-called wealth, knowing it’s not theirs in the first place," another one wrote.

One user lamented about how the severe flooding brought by the habagat and storms in July affected them, as a healthcare worker, and their patients.

"Meanwhile, corrupt officials enjoy ill-gotten wealth from 'flood control' and other dubious allocations in the national budget while funds for healthcare remain dry," the X user added.

One of the personalities users have called out is Gela Alonte, the daughter of Mayor Angelo Alonte of Biñan, Laguna.

Social media users also criticized her lifestyle compared to Biñan residents who suffered from severe flooding during the habagat-induced rains in different parts of Luzon in July.

Later that month, she seemingly responded to critics, saying, "There’s a difference between pulling others down and calling them out," she wrote in a now-unavailable post on X.

"The world would be so much better if majority chose to do the latter," she continued. "Nobody is perfect yet so many of you act like you’ve never had any mistakes in your life just cause they aren’t publicized."

"It’s not fair to use others’ mistakes against them when you can call them out properly [and] give them a chance to grow [and] learn. Isn’t that how it should be?" she added.

Camille Co, however, was quick to slam speculations that she's related to the controversial Co family after she was mistakenly identified as Claudine Co.

"Imagine my surprise opening my TikTok and discovering a ton of comments because of the viral Co’s. I’m not related to them nor do I know them," she wrote on X, adding in a separate X post, "I’m not an heiress. I’m just a hardworking kween."

"No I’m not related to any of the Cos you know. Not in politics. Not in government. Not in flood control. Not from any province outside of Metro Manila. And while we’re at it, also not related to Puregold. Hope this helps," she wrote in a separate post on TikTok.

Camille is a fashion influencer and social media personality, while Claudine is the daughter of former Ako Bicol Partylist representative Christopher Co, who is a co-founder of Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corporation.

Her uncle, Rep. Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co, serves as the chief executive officer of the Sunwest Group of Companies.

Both companies were among the top 15 construction firms that secured contracts with the DPWH for the 100 billion worth of flood control projects nationwide.

'Kailangan maging nakakadiri yung korapsyon'

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, who called out the viral interviews featuring the Discayas, including Julius Babao's feature which showcased their luxury cars, expressed support for calling out personalities connected to public service who show off their assets.

“As public officials, we have a code of ethics. Ostentatious display of wealth is also not good, regardless of the source. Pero siguro 'yung mga nakita talaga natin na connected sa contractor, sila naman nag-post nun online 'di ba? So bigyan natin sila ng atensyon kung gusto nila,” he told ABS-CBN News.

“I guess with everything that is happening now, I think it’s all for the better. Napapaisip na tayo ngayon,” Sotto said. “Kapag may nakita na tayo na pinagmamalaki yung travels, luxury cars, sa yate nagpa-party, mapapaisip na tayo,” he added.

Sotto further stressed that the public must watch out for anomalies and view corruption as something repulsive.

“Kailangan maging nakakadiri yung korapsyon. Kailangan hindi siya maging katanggap-tanggap," he said.

"If we want to fix this, kailangan aminin natin na at some level, all of us are guilty here. Hindi ibig sabihin na may natanggap tayo, pero ibig sabihin at some point, hinayaan natin e. Pumayag tayo,” he said.

“I think that is the first step: to challenge that thinking, that system, challenge that culture, basagin natin yun," he stressed.

This comes after Marcos called out government officials who allegedly commit corruption, particularly in flood control projects, during his 2025 state of the nation address.

"Sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong mga kapwa Pilipino," he added.

"Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo nang ibinulsa niyo lang ang pera."

The government has also launched a new website, "Sumbong sa Pangulo," allowing the public to monitor and report flood control projects.