Last year had been a year of ghost projects — and the extravagant lifestyles and fashion statements of personalities linked to the scandal.

But like the ghost projects, would these so-called fashion controversies be resolved this year —or like the ghost projects, would they just be forgotten eventually?

Heart Evangelista's Paraíba tourmaline ring

On 8 September last year, senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero was ousted as Senate president following probes on his top election campaign donor and his brother-in-law that were linked to billions-worth of ghost flood control projects.

Shortly after, netizens began their own investigations into the lifestyles of Chiz and his wife, fashion icon and actress Heart Evangelista. Among those that went viral was a video clip of Chiz gifting Heart a Paraíba tourmaline ring estimated to be worth $1 million (around P59 million) for Valentine’s 2024, Heart’s 39th birthday.

The ring has been controversial not only because of its rarity, but also because it is presumed to cost three times Escudero’s declared net worth as of 28 October 2025: P18.8 million, the lowest among 21 out of 24 senators who released a copy of their statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).

Because of the controversies and the questions on their lifestyle and supposed extravagance, Heart skipped the September 2025 Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, saying in an Instagram Live statement that it was important for Filipinos to be present and engaged locally, although she hinted at returning to Fashion Week in the future.

Last November, the Commission on Elections cleared Escudero over the P30-million campaign donation, reporting that the top donor in question, Lawrence Lubiano, donated money allegedly from his own pocket, and not from his company, Centerways Construction and Development, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed to be among the contractors that got billions worth of government infrastructure projects in recent years.

Although the Comelec has cleared the Escuderos from the alleged election violation, they are yet to clarify the questions behind the controversial Paraíba tourmaline ring. Is it not fair if Filipinos were told by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to have a 500-peso Noche Buena if Heart would be entitled to a one-million-dollar gemstone? Just imagine how many Noche Buenas could be the equivalent of only one stone!

The ‘nepo babies’

If Heart has been tagged by netizens as the alleged “nepo wife,” last year had also been the year of the so-called “nepo babies” or the children of politicians and contractors linked to the anomalous flood control projects.

Much of the public ire is on the extravagant display of possessions and lifestyles of the children and relatives of politician and businessman Zaldy Co, who is facing scrutiny over his alleged budget insertions and unfinished projects. Particularly on the hot seat are Co’s son Ellis, a rapper and fashion designer and niece, Claudine, a vlogger; for flaunting wealth amid the scandal.