“Real-life” math word problem.
This was how actress-podcaster Saab Magalona described claims that Rep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list) received money at a hotel, as the Congress probes corruption allegations involving flood control projects.
On Tuesday, September 23, the content creator took to Threads to react to reports that an estimated P1 billion in cash was packed in 20 suitcases and transported in six to seven vans for the lawmaker.
Each suitcase is estimated to have contained around P50 million.
The allegations were made by former Department of Public Works and Highway assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez in a Senate hearing, where he said he delivered the cash through Co’s aide identified as “Paul.”
According to Hernandez, the suitcases were brought directly from the basement parking to a penthouse suite at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, via an elevator.
Hernandez’s statement was corroborated by fellow dismissed DPWH engineer Jaypee Mendoza, who said he was present during the deliveries.
Both testified that the first drop-offs were made at Shangri-La before subsequent deliveries were transferred to Co’s residence in Valle Verde, an exclusive subdivision in Pasig City.
Hernandez said that flood control projects in Bulacan’s First District were substandard, with commissions ranging from 25% to 30% of the project costs allegedly allocated to their political supporters.
Dismissed DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara, Hernandez’s former superior, had tagged Co as the “top proponent” of flood control insertions totaling P35 billion from 2022 to 2025.
Meanwhile, Hernandez’s revelations about Co receiving suitcases containing millions in cash from public have sparked online discussions among Filipinos, including comments from Saab.
Many likened the scenario to a math word problem, narratives that present a situation requiring calculations or mathematical analysis to solve.
“P*cha, parang word problem lang itong usapang bilyones na ninakaw…” she wrote on Threads.
“‘Isang bilyon ang dineliver kay Zaldy Co sa basement ng Shangrila Hotel BGC. Nakalagay ang pera sa maleta at anim na van ang ginamit para ideliver ito. Bawat maleta ay may laman na 50 million. Ilang maleta ang natanggap ni Zaldy Co?'” Saab added.
Her post has earned 1,600 likes and over 100 replies from other online users.
“When our kids ask where do they use complex Math — perfect example na ‘to,” another Threads user wrote.
“Math problem nung [elementary] hahahahahahaha pang-MTAP,” a different online user commented.
“Trauma nung elementary [or] high school ako, bad trip,” another Pinoy said, referring to Saab’s “real-life” math word problem remark.
The “Follow The Trend Movement” or FTTM, a Pinoy pop culture-oriented page, also likened the situation to a math problem.
“One whole sheet of paper,” it said in a Facebook post that has earned 103,000 likes and reactions, 15,000 shares, and 3,600 comments.
Flood control mess
Congress is currently investigating the alleged anomalies in the country’s flood control projects involving DPWH officials and contractors, such as Sarah and Curlee Discaya.
Allegations include officials receiving kickbacks, contractors flaunting lavish lifestyles, substandard construction, “ghost” projects or initiatives tagged as “completed” but were unfinished or never built.
News reports have also highlighted contractors with questionable track records still securing government projects.
Concerns over these anomalies were first raised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his fourth State of the Nation Address.
— with reports from Philstar.com/Jean Mangaluz