The statement of designer Ellis Co, son of embattled Rep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list), was scrutinized by many Filipinos, some of whom countered his claims with reports and shared receipts.
The lawmaker’s elder son took to social media to distance himself from his father’s affiliations and declare support for those rallying against corruption, even as Zaldy remains implicated in the anomalous flood control issue.
“Before I proceed, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the people who have mobilized and stood up against corruption in the streets. I am with you. I am on your side,” Ellis said in a lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday, September 24.
“Though I bear my last name, I’ve always tried to separate myself from that affiliation. It can’t be denied that I was born into privilege,” he added.
“Despite this, I’ve always pushed to give back, especially to the community and to the industry I’ve long admired. I’ve moved out of my parents’ home, I didn’t pursue college, and I’ve been working for my money since I was 16,” the designer continued.
Ellis said that he “repeatedly declined offers to participate in politics or any government-related opportunities,” adding that he “pushed to separate” himself from politics.
“I condemn corruption in all its forms. I understand the anger and disgust. The hate is MORE than valid. And for the past few weeks, I’ve been having an internal conflict between my morals and my family. I am only speaking out now because I needed the time to have a firm grasp of the situation,” he added.
The designer said that he learned about the allegations against his father “the same way everyone else did” — through news reports and congressional hearings.
Ellis added that his relationship with his father “has since become very vague when he entered politics,” noting that this distance also extended to the rest of his family.
“And though I try to separate myself from the affiliation, I won’t exclude myself from the conversation. I am deeply ashamed, and I wish for nothing but the truth to come out. There is no excuse. I firmly believe that anyone who is proven guilty of these crimes should be held accountable and should face the proper consequences. That includes my dad,” the designer said.
“I urge him to appear before the people and be accountable once and for all. I am not just speaking out against a politician; I am speaking out against my father. And if this decision gets me disowned, I would rather face that consequence than watch millions of people suffer from his actions,” he continued.
Ellis also addressed financial concerns about his fashion shows, admitting that his mother had “invested” in it and that it was a “loan” they were “expected to pay.”
“You may ask, ‘How does a 20-something-year-old have money to fund fashion shows?’ The simple answer was, I didn’t. While I had my savings, I also had access to resources that a normal business owner wouldn’t,” the designer said.
Ellis added that their last fashion show was “two years ago,” saying they have “shifted to smaller events and community building” as they “could not afford them anymore.”
He concluded his statement by urging his father “to come home and answer to the people.”
“Have your time in court. People need answers. Free those who were unfairly imprisoned, and seek justice for those who put their lives at stake,” Ellis said.
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Ellis’ statement was welcomed by some but met with skepticism by others, who questioned his claims and shared evidence in response.
On Ellis’ role
An online user posted an image, claiming it came from a PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) by the company’s human resources department, which showed Ellis as part of the construction firm Sunwest’s Corporate Executives Committee, alongside his father Zaldy and mother, Mylene Co.
The X user also stated that they had received a job offer from Zaldy’s firm but declined it.
“‘I’ve moved out of my parents’ home, I didn’t pursue college, and I’ve been working for my money since I was 16,'” the X user wrote in a post, quoting Ellis.
“Also him,” the X user added, sharing the image from the supposed PPT which named Ellis as “TQM Team Manager/Revenue Manager/AVP for Group Holdings/CEO for STM.”
“I’ve moved out of my parents’ home, I didn’t pursue college, and I’ve been working for my money since I was 16.”
also him: https://t.co/2eC3MoebDK pic.twitter.com/y8J4RX9EyA
— kyoo (@thetippypoint) September 24, 2025
Rappler multimedia reporter Dwight de Leon, meanwhile, commented on Ellis’ post, noting that they had published an investigative piece on Zaldy’s businesses back in March.
“Hi, Ellis. Dwight de Leon here, political reporter from Rappler. We wrote extensively about your father’s construction empire back in March (to others, Google ‘Zaldy Co still ‘beneficial owner’ of scandal-ridden public works contractor),” he wrote.
“We learned that you are also a shareholder — investing hundreds of million of pesos — in sister companies (Misibis Land, Embarcadero) of scandal-ridden Sunwest Construction,” de Leon added.
“Your name is in SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) documents. How involved are you, then, in the operations of the Sunwest empire then?” the journalist continued.
Fashion designer Antonina Amoncio also asked: “Can you also explain why a 21-year-old Filipino would own or have his name as Chairperson [and] CEO of Misibis Bay Aviation and Development Corp?”
On Ellis’ relationship with Zaldy, Co family
Another online user shared an image of Zaldy attending one of Ellis’ fashion shows, in response to the latter’s claims of distancing himself from his father’s affiliations.
— ✦ 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙭𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙢 ✦ (@dearwonxinz) September 24, 2025
A cursory check of Interaksyon also found social media posts by Zaldy on Dec. 25, 2023 that showed Ellis joining his family for a Christmas charity event. Their photos were posted on Facebook and Twitter.
Spreading Christmas cheer to the kids of Albay with my family! We are thankful for all the good we receive, and I believe it is important to reach out and bless others as well. Mahalagang paalala ito ng tunay na diwa ng Pasko. pic.twitter.com/sXlTYqXNH6
— Zaldy Co (@zaldyco_) December 25, 2023
Other comments
Actor Albie Casiño likewise commented on Ellis’ post.
He wrote, “Your music sucks, your fashion sense sucks, you and your all suck,” which received over 9,600 likes.
“Sabi mo ‘separated’ ka sa politics, pero inamin mo rin na ‘blessed with privilege.’ Eh saan galing ‘yung privilege na ’yan kundi sa perang ninakaw ng tatay mong si Zaldy Co? Sinasabi mong ‘ashamed,’ pero tahimik ka lang noon habang nagkakandahirap ang tao sa corruption niya,” another Instagram user commented.
“Ngayon ka lang nagsasalita kasi nagkahulihan at hindi dahil may prinsipyo ka. Ang totoo, nakinabang ka pa rin sa pribilehiyo ng pagiging anak,” the Instagram user added.
“Ellis Co, son of Zaldy Co, only spoke after netizens uncovered his ‘brand.’ If no one noticed, would he have said anything at all? I firmly believe that accountability should come before exposure, not after. Until then, words feel less like truth and more like damage control,” another Pinoy wrote.
Ellis’ father
Zaldy is currently implicated in the flood control corruption scandal after a construction firm he co-founded was included in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s list of contractors with the highest number of flood control projects.
A staff member of the lawmaker revealed that they were ordered to deliver suitcases containing money to Zaldy as part of kickbacks from the infrastructure projects.
Orly Guteza, Zaldy’s security consultant, claimed that each suitcase had contained P40 million.
Zaldy was in the United States for medical treatment when investigations into the alleged anomalous flood control projects began. His travel clearance has since been revoked.
The lawmaker has denied the allegations against him, calling them “false and baseless.”
“I reserve my right to respond to these allegations at the proper time before the proper forum,” Zaldy previously said.
