The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons. Branded as a “storm importer” due to its location near the Pacific Ocean, one might expect the country to have developed a solid defense against recurring disasters. Spoiler alert: it has not.

Recently, the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control projects have come under fire over their staggering multi-billion peso budget. Reports revealed that only 15 contractors cornered more than 20 percent of the P545.65-billion allocation, a revelation that has drawn outrage from both lawmakers and the public.

Subsequent probes uncovered systemic corruption within the infrastructure program. Projects worth millions were either nonexistent yet recorded as completed or built with substandard quality.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has since ordered lifestyle checks on the personnel involved. Beyond the numbers, another story is unfolding, one that extends into the private lives of the contractors where wealth from these projects seems to spill over into displays of luxury.

As the popular internet saying goes, “If I won the lottery, I wouldn’t tell anyone, but there would be signs.” In the same way, the markers of ill-gotten wealth are not always visible in the officials themselves. Sometimes, the signs emerge through their families, particularly their daughters, whose lavish lifestyles often speak louder than official records.

Nepo kids

Reels flaunting luxury cars, holiday getaways, designer cosmetics, high-end fashion, and carefree GRWM vlogs have flooded social media. Netizens have feasted on every piece of content, weaponizing each image as proof of lives funded by questionable means, while flood-stricken communities wade through misery.

Dubbed “Disney princesses” by the public, here are some of the controversial children of contractors and officials whose names have gathered so much ire in recent weeks.

Claudine Co

Claudine Co, tagged online as “the true is-Co-lar ng bayan,” is a singer and lifestyle content creator who rose to fame through her fashion and travel vlogs.

She is the daughter of Christopher Co, a former congressman and co-founder of Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., and the niece of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, CEO of Sunwest Inc. and former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.

How ironic that this man was once the one who checked the national budget. Nothing to worry about, as he was eventually replaced. But by then, their two companies, which were part of the top 15, had already bagged flood control contracts.

Lemuel Lubiano

Adding to the equation, Claudine’s partner Lemuel Lubiano is the brother of Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., seventh on the list of top contractors.

Lubiano was said to be the top donor of Senate President Chiz Escudero’s 2022 senatorial campaign, confirming that he contributed P30 million.