Beauty and wellness entrepreneur Glenda Dela Cruz has strongly denied online claims linking her to fugitive suspect Zaldy Co, calling the allegations “highly malicious and defamatory” and announcing plans to pursue legal action against those behind the posts.
In a statement released on social media, Dela Cruz addressed speculation that surfaced after a Facebook page, Philippine Morning News, published a post connecting her recent Europe trip and tax declarations to Co. The page cited the timing of her visit to Lisbon, Portugal and her public posts about paying more than ₱100 million in income tax for 2025 as fueling online theories.
Reacting to the claims, Dela Cruz wrote: “Favorite niyo talaga akong siraan ano?” She also questioned the narrative linking her to the controversy, saying, “Pumunta lang ng Lisbon, Portugal, nagbayad ng 111M Income Tax, connected na kay Zaldy Co?” and added, “Seriously people, may naniniwala?”
An “OFFICIAL STATEMENT” issued on her behalf stated: “We have become aware of the highly malicious and defamatory posts published by the Facebook page Philippine Morning News, which falsely and recklessly links our founder, Miss Glenda Dela Cruz, to fugitive suspect Zaldy Co — going so far as to baselessly theorize that she serves as his alleged ‘money launderer’ or ‘taga-laba.’”
The statement emphasized that she “categorically, completely, and vehemently” denies the accusations, stressing that she has “absolutely no connection whatsoever to Zaldy Co, to any flood control scandal, or to any illegal financial activity of any kind.”
It further argued that publicly available information — including her Europe travel, her declaration of billionaire status, and her tax payments — had been “weaponized” to construct what it described as a “fabricated, irresponsible, and criminally defamatory narrative.”
“They are not journalism. They are not responsible reporting. They are fake news. They are cyber libel. They are an attack on the reputation of a hardworking Filipina entrepreneur,” the statement read.
Dela Cruz’s camp maintained that her trip was personal and self-funded. “The Europe trip Miss Glenda took was a personal trip — her own, well-earned, and fully funded by the fruits of her years of sacrifice and hard work. Her wealth is real, legitimate, and documented. Her taxes are paid. Her business is clean,” it said.
Philippine Morning News, in its post, described the issue as “ONLINE SPECULATION” and noted that “sa ngayon ay walang inilalabas na ebidensya o opisyal na pahayag na magpapatunay sa anumang paratang.”
In a separate “LEGAL NOTICE,” Dela Cruz warned that she would be pursuing both criminal and civil remedies. “Miss Glenda, through her legal counsel, will be taking ALL available legal action — criminal and civil — against: Philippine Morning News and its administrators/owners; The individuals who authored, published, and boosted these posts; and any other individuals and pages that continue to propagate, share, or amplify these false and malicious allegations.”
She also urged those who have shared the posts to delete them, stating: “TAKE THEM DOWN NOW. Continued sharing of defamatory content exposes you to legal liability as well.”
