TV host and personality Bianca Gonzalez took a swipe at the children of allegedly corrupt government officials who flaunt their wealth online while ordinary Filipinos struggle to get by.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, August 29, Gonzalez said: “My feed filled with posts on the lavish lifestyle of kids of corrupt officials…. and here we are, mga walang generational wealth o nakaw na yaman, na kumakayod araw araw, na minsan’y nahihiya pa magpost ng travel o ng nabili kasi baka ‘mayabang’ ang dating. Paano ba to.”
Although she did not drop names, Gonzalez’s remarks came at a time when social media users have been calling out the children of politicians and contractors linked to alleged anomalous flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Among those who drew backlash online was Claudine Co, daughter of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Christopher Co, whose firm Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corporation was flagged by the government as one of 15 contractors that cornered billions worth of flood control contracts. Following criticism, Claudine—who is also a travel and fashion influencer—deactivated all her social media accounts.
The issue has prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to order lifestyle checks on all government officials, starting with those in the DPWH, as part of the widening probe into alleged “ghost” and substandard flood projects.
“Ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang pagkakaroon ng lifestyle check sa lahat ng mga opisyal sa gitna ng imbestigasyon patungkol sa maanomalyang flood control projects,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on August 27.
As of Wednesday morning, Malacañang reported that over 9,000 complaints on questionable flood control projects have been filed through the newly launched sumbongsapangulo.ph platform.
