Naka-public na muli at hindi na pribado ang Instagram account ni Michael Ellis Co, ang 24-year-old rapper, fashion designer, at founder ng clothing brand na Dot ARCHIVES.
Si Ellis ay anak ni Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, ang kongresistang iniiugnay sa korapsyon at bilyun-bilyong piso umano ang nakuha mula sa pondo ng flood control projects ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Read: Revilla, Estrada, Villanueva, Co tagged by ex-DPWH official
Sa mensahe ni Ellis na ibinahagi niya sa Instagram ngayong Miyerkules ng gabi, Setyembre 24, 2025, hinikayat nito ang kanyang ama na umuwi ng bansa, harapin ang mga tao, at sagutin ang mga mabibigat na paratang laban dito.
Si Co ay umalis ng Pilipinas noong Hulyo 2025 para magpagamot sa Amerika. Ngunit ngayon ay hindi tiyak ang kinaroroonan niya.
ELLIS CO SPEAKS OUT AGAINST HIS OWN FATHER
Sa kanyang mahabang post, ipinahayag ni Ellis na nakikisimpatiya sa libu-libong Pilipino na nakilahok sa malawakang protesta laban sa korapsyon noong Linggo, Setyembre 21.
Idiniin niyang kaisa siya ng mga ito.
Bagamat isa siyang Co, ginagawa raw niya ang kanyang makakaya upang ihiwalay ang sarili sa kilala niyang apelyido.
Hindi rin daw niya ikinakaila na lumaki siya sa karangyaan, ngunit hindi umano niya nakakaligtaang magbalik sa komunidad at sa fashion industry.
Read: Philippine Flood Control Corruption: A Timeline
Panimula ni Ellis: “I am here to address the situation.
"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.
“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. Despite this, I’ve always pushed to give back, especially to the community and to the industry I’ve long admired."
Pagtatapat pa ni Ellis, umalis na siya sa bahay ng kanyang mga magulang. Hindi rin daw siya nagkolehiyo, at nagtrabaho na para sa sarili niyang pera sa edad na 16.
Bagamat nasa pulitika ang kanyang pamilya, lumihis daw siya ng landas sa pamamagitan ng paulit-ulit na pagtangging makilahok sa anumang may kinalaman sa pulitika.
Saad ng fashion designer-singer: “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.
"This isn’t a sob story. It’s my effort to show transparency regarding my brand, and how I chose not to participate in that system.
“Over the years, I’ve pushed to separate myself from their work and have repeatedly declined offers to participate in politics or any government-related opportunities.
"I have a firm belief that people who are supposed to do this are people who have the proper skillset, education, and reasons to do so."
Read: Discayas name congressmen who allegedly took cuts from DPWH deals
ELLIS CO CONDEMNS CORRUPTION
Kinokondena rin daw ni Ellis ang anumang uri ng korapsyon. Naiintindihan daw niya ang galit at pagkasuklam ng taong-bayan.
Nitong mga nakalipas na linggo raw ay nahahati ang kanyang kalooban sa pagitan ng paniniwala niya at ng pamilya niya.
Ngayon lamang daw siya nagsalita dahil kinailangan niya munang iproseso ang sitwasyon.
Gaya ng taong-bayan, ngayon lang daw niya nalaman kung gaano kalala ang mga alegasyon laban sa kanyang ama.
Pinalaki raw siya sa paniniwalang isang negosyante ang kanyang ama na nagbigay sa kanila ng marangyang pamumuhay.
Pagpapatuloy ni Ellis: “I condemn corruption in all its form.
"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 need the time to have a firm grasp of the situation.
“I found out about the full extent of the allegations the same way everyone else did.
"Before my dad entered politics, he was a businessman who provided a better life for my family
“As a kid, that is all I saw and all I was told."
Nagbago raw ang pakikitungo ni Ellis sa kanyang ama nang pumasok ito sa pulitika. Dito na raw siya nagsimulang lumayo hindi lamang sa kanyang ama kundi maging sa pamilya niya.
Labis daw siyang nahihiya, at ang tanging hiling niya ay lumabas ang katotohanan.
"Our relationship has since become very vague when he entered politics, which made me increasingly distant, not just from him, but from my family as well.
"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."
Read: Titulo ng mga kanta ni Ellis G, anak ni Zaldy Co, sumasalamin sa lavish lifestyle
ELLIS CO URGES HIS FATHER TO FACE THE COURT
Hinikayat ni Ellis ang ama na lumantad at harapin ang mga paratang laban sa kanya.
Hindi lamang daw siya nagsasalita laban sa isang pulitiko kundi laban sa kanyang sariling ama—kahit itakwil man daw siya ng kanyang pamilya.
Saad ni Ellis: "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.”
Pagwawakas ni Ellis sa kanyang mensahe: “To my father, 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."
Nagsalita rin si Ellis tungkol sa mga alegasyon laban sa kanyang itinatag na fashion brand na Dot Archives.
Ito ang kabuuan ng kanyang pahayag:
Read: Zaldy Co, lalong nadiin dahil sa pamangkin na si Claudine Co