Actor-host Matteo Guidicelli has joined the chorus of celebrities speaking out against the lavish lifestyles flaunted by the so-called “Iskolar ng Bayan”—the children of contractors allegedly involved in anomalous government flood control projects.
Guidicelli reacted to a viral video reposted by X user @Bongtothemax, which showed two young women laughing as they boasted about spending ₱795,000 on food at a luxury hotel restaurant. The clip, widely circulated online, drew outrage from netizens who linked the display of extravagance to taxpayer-funded wealth.
“POV: Lavish lifestyle ng mga anak ng CONG/TRACTORS isang kainan lang 795K,” read the original caption.
While the women in the video appeared amused, Guidicelli was far from entertained. Sharing his disapproval on social media, he wrote bluntly: “Not funny at all.”
His reaction echoes growing frustration among Filipinos, who have been hit hard by severe flooding despite billions of pesos allocated to flood control projects in recent years.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has since ordered a probe into the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contracts, revealing that 15 contractors cornered 20% of all projects worth ₱100 billion in just three years.
Guidicelli is not alone. Other public figures including Jessica Soho, Anne Curtis, Bianca Gonzalez, Carla Abellana, Vice Ganda, and Nadine Lustre have also spoken out, condemning the ostentatious displays of wealth by political families and calling for greater accountability.
What began as netizens calling out “nepo babies” of contractors online has now snowballed into a larger cultural backlash, with some of the country’s most influential celebrities using their platforms to amplify public anger over corruption and inequality.
