Luxury for Nepo Babies, Chaos for Taxpayers: Philippines’ Flood Fiasco Goes Viral
While taxpayers wade through water, contractors’ kids flex Chanel and private jets online.
It’s not just the floods drowning Filipinos — it’s the luxury flexing too. After exposés on “ghost” flood control projects, attention has shifted to the flashy lives of the sons and daughters of top government contractors. These kids aren’t worrying about knee-deep water; they’re busy with Paris fashion shows, designer bags, and private planes.
Who’s in the spotlight?
One name blowing up online is Claudine Co, daughter of Christopher Co, linked to Hi-Tone Construction — one of the firms bagging a big slice of flood control contracts. Claudine, also niece of Rep. Zaldy Co, showed off Fendi and Versace fits worth hundreds of thousands online before deleting her accounts after the backlash.
Her boyfriend, Lemuel Lubiano, comes from another contractor clan, Centerways Construction — also tied to billions worth of flood projects. Together, their lifestyle vlogs featured Europe trips, private jets, and even a P380,000 bichon pup.
Another target of netizens is Jammy Cruz, daughter of contractor Noel Cruz. Her family firm, Sto. Cristo Construction, reportedly secured P3.5 billion worth of contracts. Jammy once unboxed a Chanel Boy Bag worth nearly P400k and showed off a luxury car gifted by her dad. She, too, has since gone offline.
Online rage, offline floods
Filipinos didn’t hold back: from viral posts boiling over at “1-million-peso outfits” to TV host Bianca Gonzalez calling out the “generational wealth gap” in contrast to ordinary workers who hesitate to post their own small joys.
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 minsa'y nahihiya pa magpost ng travel o ng nabili kasi baka "mayabang" ang dating 😳 paano ba to
— Bianca Gonzalez Intal (@iamsuperbianca) August 28, 2025
Policy advocates also reminded officials of the law requiring them to live modest lives. John Coby Cabuhat of GoodGovPH said these displays of wealth “come from the sweat and struggle of the people.”
The bigger picture
Lavish vlogs might be disappearing, but the floods remain. Billions spent on flood projects haven’t stopped communities from losing homes and livelihoods every rainy season. For many, the hashtag #FloodControlNepoBaby says it all: when it rains, it pours — and the poor drown while the rich fly private.
This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here