MANILA, Philippines — Actress-singer Sharon Cuneta has denied allegations linking her family to an alleged flood control scam, calling the accusations “lies” and defending her husband, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, after individuals claiming to be former associates of ex-congressman Zaldy Co accused the senator of receiving a suitcase containing cash.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Cuneta rejected claims that she and her family received money during a visit to Marawi City, saying the allegations were completely false and contradicted publicly available records of their trip.
“MGA SINUNGAAAALING!!!!!!! SOBRA TALAGA KAYO!!!!! (Liars! You have really gone too far!)” Cuneta wrote.
The actress said she had previously documented the visit in a vlog and explained that the trip was intended to thank local officials and residents for supporting Pangilinan.
“I vlogged about this visit my family and I made to Marawi to thank the Governor, Mayor, and other officials and their families for their support for Kiko,” she said.
Cuneta also questioned the credibility of the accusations, expressing disbelief over claims that a suitcase allegedly containing cash would have been handed over during the highly publicized visit.
“Talaga ba, magbibigay kayo ng maleta sa amin sa Marawi pa? (Are you seriously saying you would hand us a suitcase in Marawi of all places?),” she wrote.
She further defended her family’s integrity, saying they continue to earn their living through hard work and honest means.
“Eto nagtetaping pa ako ngayon — nagbabanat pa rin ng buto at lumalaban ng patas, dahil lahat ng meron kami, pinaghihirapan namin (I am still working, still putting in the effort and earning an honest living because everything we have, we worked hard for),” Cuneta said.
“Hindi kami tulad ninyong mga sinungaling (We are not like you liars),” she added.
Her reaction came after a group of 18 individuals presented by former congressman Mike Defensor during a press conference claimed they had delivered a suitcase containing cash to Pangilinan. The group, described as former bagmen of Co, also showed photographs of Pangilinan’s family and luggage they alleged contained money.
Pangilinan dismissed the accusations as an attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine his role in an upcoming Senate investigation into the alleged flood control scam.
In a statement reposted by Cuneta, the senator said the allegations emerged after reports that he would chair the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee tasked with probing alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
“Puro pasaring. Puro alegasyon. Puro palabas (Nothing but insinuations. Nothing but allegations. Nothing but a spectacle),” Pangilinan said.
“Wala ni katiting na basehan ang mga tangkang pagdungis sa aking pagkatao (There is not a shred of basis for these attempts to tarnish my reputation),” he added.
The senator also objected to the inclusion of his family in the controversy and warned that legal action would be taken against those responsible for the allegations.
“At dahil dinamay niyo pa ang pamilya ko, makakatikim kayo ng hindi pasaring, alegasyon, o palabas na kaso sa korte (Because you dragged my family into this, you will face not insinuations, allegations or theatrics, but a lawsuit in court),” he said.
The allegations stem from claims made by the former associates of Co, who accused Pangilinan of receiving a suitcase allegedly containing cash. The claims have not been proven in court.
Cuneta's social media post also referenced a vlog titled “Mindanao on My Mind,” uploaded on July 20, 2025, which documented the family's visit to Marawi City with their children Frankie, Miel and Miguel.
“We went on a very special trip as a family to visit Ground Zero in Marawi City with my 3 younger children. It was such a memorable and emotional day for all of us. My heart is so full of love for the beautiful people of Lanao Del Sur. Madakel a salamat, BARMM,” Cuneta wrote in the vlog's caption.
