Filipino celebrities often lend their star power to the nation’s political stage, but the fallout from the 2025 elections shows how costly those endorsements can become.
Congressmen from four partylist groups backed by some of the country’s biggest names in entertainment are now at the center of an Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) probe, accused of ties to lawmakers with deep business interests in government projects.
The episode has raised a pointed question: when the cameras turn off, how well do celebrity endorsers really know the groups they help put in power?
The big picture
The ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday, November 26, recommended before the Office of the Ombudsman the filing of charges against eight lawmakers identified as “cong-tractors,” or congressmen with direct or familial links to construction firms, for alleged violations of the 1987 Constitution.
Four of the lawmakers flagged are partylist representatives who were publicly endorsed by well-known Filipino celebrities during the 2025 midterm elections.
ICI chairman and retired Supreme Court associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. said the officials engaged in activities that allegedly created clear conflicts of interest with their roles in government.
Joshua Garcia and CWS Partylist
Actor Joshua Garcia endorsed Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Partylist, represented by Rep. Edwin Gardiola, whom Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste earlier named as the second biggest proponent of infrastructure projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways.
ICI said Gardiola is linked to three construction firms—Newington Builders Inc., Lourel Development Corporation, and S-Ang General Construction & Trading Inc.—all of which were awarded at least 211 civil-works projects worth ₱9.2 billion from 2016 to 2024.
Investigators detailed that Gardiola’s brother, Elmer Gardiola, serves as vice president and treasurer of Newington, while Elmer’s wife, Elaine Gardiola, is the company’s majority stockholder. Another brother, Eaerel Benedicto Gardiola, is an incorporator of Lourel Development Corporation.
Meanwhile, S-Ang General Construction & Trading Inc. lists Gardiola’s immediate family—his wife Judy and children Kim Ann Esguerra, Katrina Mara Katigbak, Kaila Gardiola, and KenMartin Gardiola—as its stockholders, directors, and officers.
Alex Gonzaga and Uswag Ilonggo Partylist
TV host and actress Alex Gonzaga endorsed Uswag Ilonggo Partylist, represented by Rep. James Ang Jr., who was also included in ICI’s list.
The commission said Ang’s uncle, Alfonso Tan, is a major stockholder of IBC International Builders Corporation and Allencon Development Corporation, which collectively received 241 civil-works projects worth ₱11 billion from 2016 to 2024.
Erik Santos and Pusong Pinoy Partylist
Singer Erik Santos endorsed Pusong Pinoy Partylist, represented by Rep. Jernie Nisay, whom the ICI flagged for being the sole proprietor of JVN Construction and Trading.
The firm was awarded ₱73 million worth of infrastructure projects, according to the commission.
Jericho Rosales and Ako Bicol Partylist
Actor and singer Jericho Rosales endorsed Ako Bicol Partylist, then represented by Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, the former House Appropriations Committee chairman who resigned earlier this year.
Co is currently facing an arrest warrant on graft and malversation charges tied to a ₱289.5-million flood-control project in Oriental Mindoro. According to ICI, Co is closely related to the principal owner of FS Co Builders and Supply, which secured 40 infrastructure projects worth ₱3.8 billion between 2020 and 2024.
ICI added that FS Co Builders and Supply entered a joint venture with HiTone Construction and Development Corporation, founded by Christopher Co, the brother of Albay Vice Governor Farida Salcedo Co—herself the sole proprietor of FS Co and sister of Rep. Zaldy Co.
