Jose Gole Cruz, Isaiah Pangan
Over the past few months, revelations amid the corrupted flood control projects have led to a gushing efflux of discussions and actions demanding accountability from the guilty.
The public scrabbled around social media in search of names related to exposed contractors and politicians, some of whom were already comfortable with the naked eye, even then, for them, the surging torrent that came after was still unexpected.
Hailed as ‘nepo babies,’ which is defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a person who gains success or opportunities through familial connections,” the lavish lifestyle of these politicians’ progeny was heavily flooded by heaping comments of detestation and censure.
These nepo babies are not excluded from their parents and relatives under the scrutinizing law, as they too are allegedly using dirty money from mismanaged and corrupted taxes collected from the public.
Meet the ‘babies’
Among these “nepo babies’ is Claudine Co, a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle influencer, who is among Bicol’s most influential political families. Daughter of Christopher Co, the co-founder of Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp., and niece of Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, CEO of the Sunwest Group of Companies and a former chair of the House Committee on Appropriations. Both corporations are tagged by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as among the top 15 construction companies that handled flood control projects.
In her YouTube travel vlogs, Claudine rode private planes and went to multiple countries with her boyfriend Lemuel Lubiano, who is related to former Sorsogon councilor Lester Lubiano and Lawrence Lubiano of Centerways Construction and Development. Claudine also documented her luxurious outfits, brands, and prices on Instagram.
These contents hit the internet in August 2025, concurrent with the exposés surrounding the anomalous flood control projects.
Angela Marie Fe M. Alonte, better known as Gela Alonte, is a TikTok content creator who is known for her dance and get-ready-with-me videos, an actress under Rise Artists Studio, and the daughter of Biñanan City Mayor Angelo “Gel” B. Alonte, who was vice mayor of the city from 2016 to May 2025. Bayani “Arthur” M. Alonte, her grandfather, was also mayor of the city.
Months prior to the controversy, a clip from one of her previous live sessions reemerged. In it, she was asked about political dynasties and sarcastically replied, “Pano ba ‘yan, nasa political dynasty yung pamilya ko? I mean, controversial.”
For many, that moment and everything that followed became a reflection of how privilege continues to thrive even in times of crisis.
Watch: Gela Alonte laughs off political dynasty question in a Tiktok live. Screengrabbed by @calledwhowas
In late July, she and her family also faced criticism after videos of her celebrity-filled birthday celebration went viral. The celebration was referred to as “tone deaf” by netizens because many Biñan residents were still in grief after the damage caused by recent cyclones.
Another figure subject to public notice is Jammy Cruz, a YouTube content creator releasing lavish travel, food, and fashion vlogs. A certified public accountant (CPA), Jammy is the youngest daughter of Noel Cruz, the general manager of Sto. Cristo Construction and Trading Inc., a construction company also tagged by President Marcos.
Currently, Jammy’s Instagram is set to private, and her YouTube account is unavailable. Claudine Co’s YouTube and Instagram accounts were also deactivated. Gela Alonte’s accounts remain. All of them are yet to address the corruption allegations.
What’s next
In the first place, these families should never have shown or lived off their everyday prodigality, as RA 6713 demands modesty from public officials and their families.
With the luxury of these “nepo babies” in question, through Republic Act 1379, or the Forfeiture of Unlawfully Acquired Property, their properties would be seized by the state if proven to be out of proportion to a politician’s salary.
Relatives or beneficiaries using ill-gotten wealth would still be punished through the Anti-Money Laundering Act (RA 9160) and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), holding asset-holders accountable.
Where’s mommy and daddy?
Currently, Christopher Co’s Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp is among the eight contractor-licensees formally charged by the Department of Trade and Industry in relation to the anomalous flood control projects. Zaldy Co’s Sunwest, Inc. is also set to face formal charges from DTI.
The DTI may suspend licences and other preventive measures, though investigations are still ongoing.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co is likely to be sued by the Sandiganbayan for the same issue. Zaldy previously snubbed the Independent Commission on Infrastructure’s hearing. As of now, he is missing.
Evaporated
Even with the ‘nepo babies’ criticized and shamed into hiding, the recurrence of political corruption is imminent, as even now, no one has been convicted yet.
The same could be said of flood control projects, with their budget in the 2026 National Expenditures Program reallocated to several social development programs, the submersion and flooding are bound to rise again.
Like the different phases of rain, the problem may appear to have vanished, but truly, it only just evaporated into water vapor, and soon, the brewing sky will pour unforgivingly, again.
