It looks like the internet has had enough of political families flaunting their wealth on social media, especially amid ongoing investigations into the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control projects. Recently, contractor and former Pasig City mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya came under fire for her vast collection of luxury cars. Now, social media isn’t just going after politicians and connected businessmen, but their offspring, such as influencers Claudine Co, Lemuel Lubiano, and Angela “Gela” Alonte.
Co’s several posts on Instagram and vlogs on YouTube recently resurfaced on social media, with netizens expressing anger that their taxes might have gone towards the influencer’s luxury bags and trips on private planes. Co has since deleted her social media accounts, while her sisters Heart, Bianca, and former BHW Party-list Representative Angelica “Nikka” Co, have gone private.
Who’s Who
The four are the children of Christopher “Kito” Co, who owns Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., one of the contracting firms being investigated by the Senate in relation to the failed flood control projects. He is also the brother of Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co.
Claudine’s boyfriend Lemuel Lubiano, one of many other influencers accused of using taxpayer money to fund their “lavish lifestyle,” is the son of Lawrence Lubiano, president of the Sorsogon-based Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
A Rappler report states that the contracting firm bagged over P5.16 billion for flood control projects between 2021 and 2024. The report also said Lubiano was Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s top backer for the 2022 elections, having donated P30 million in campaign funds. However, on August 12, Escudero said that while Lubiano is a friend, the senator did not play a role in the businessman’s deals with the government.
While not linked to any flood control projects under investigation, Alonte’s name has also appeared in online discussions about influencers and allegations of ill-gotten wealth, as she comes from a prominent political family in Laguna. Her father is Biñan City Mayor Angelo “Gel” Alonte, while her aunt is former Biñan Rep. Marlyn “Len” Alonte. Both public officials faced vote-buying complaints in the 2022 elections, according to the Manila Bulletin.
A viral clip from a previous TikTok Live session shows Gela unable to answer a viewer’s question: “What are your thoughts on political dynasties?”
“Paano ba ‘yan, e nasa political dynasty ‘yong pamilya ko,” she said. “Controversial!”
It’s not the first time in recent years that a politician’s child drew flak for what the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees calls “extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth.” In August 2024, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte and half-sister of Vice President Sara Duterte, earned the ire of social media users after being spotted with a Birkin “at just 20 years old,” Bilyonaryo reports.
Flood Control Projects
While netizens debate on the ethics of targeting children of politicians, it is clear that the anger towards the construction and flooding controversies is reaching a breaking point. For most social media users, resurfacing the deleted and past posts of these influencers serves to highlight the disparity between those accused of benefitting from corruption and those who have suffered from the resulting flooding crisis.
Flood control projects under the current administration and DPWH have been under scrutiny as early as last year, with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordering a probe in November 2024 after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Supertyphoon Leon devastated the country.
Different government agencies were spurred into action in July this year as Marcos called for an audit of the project, following an initial review which revealed that 20 percent of the flood control projects, costing P100 billion, were all undertaken by 15 contractors.
On August 19, the Senate began its investigation into the projects and their contractors, but many of them did not show up to the first hearing. As a result, representatives of ten contracting firms were issued subpoenas approved by Escudero on Monday, August 25, including Discaya, Lubiano, and Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp. President Edgar S. Acosta.
