A recent feature by veteran broadcaster Korina Sanchez has stirred up online discussions after highlighting the glamorous lifestyle of actress Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde, mother of Quezon City 1st District Representative Arjo Atayde. The segment, which showcased Sylvia’s seaside property, yacht trips, and even a jetski arrival, quickly went viral as netizens linked it to ongoing controversies involving her son.
Photo Screenshot from We Are Millennials Facebook page
Sanchez, celebrated as a multi-awarded actress, producer, homemaker, and “political mom,” was filmed enjoying her beachfront vacation home. The feature emphasized her family’s success and love for the ocean, painting a picture of affluence. But the timing of the release raised eyebrows, as Rep. Arjo Atayde’s name recently surfaced in the Senate flood control project probe, following allegations from contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Clarita Discaya.
The Discayas claimed several lawmakers benefited from questionable flood control funds, with Atayde allegedly among them. This brought renewed attention not only to his political career but also to his family’s lifestyle. Online users even resurrected clips from the iWant original series Bagman, where Atayde once portrayed a corrupt character, drawing ironic parallels to the accusations.
In the middle of the growing controversy, actress and TV host Maine Mendoza, Atayde’s wife, defended him through a statement on X (formerly Twitter). Mendoza described the claims as “baseless allegations” and appealed to the public to hold judgment until the facts are established.
“Teka lang muna, those are baseless allegations. Please refrain from throwing hate and personal attacks at him, including me and our family, until facts come out,” Mendoza wrote. She further stressed her husband’s commitment to public service, saying, “I am with my husband in this. Wala siyang ginagawang masama sa loob. He has been doing his best to serve the people of his district in Quezon City since the beginning.”
Despite her strong words of support, social media remains divided. Some netizens sympathized with Mendoza and the Atayde family, while others argued that the opulent lifestyle displayed in Sanchez’s feature adds weight to suspicions about the source of their wealth.
As the Senate probe into the flood control scandal continues, both supporters and critics await further developments. For now, the viral Korina Sanchez feature has amplified discussions surrounding wealth, politics, and accountability—leaving the Atayde family under intense public scrutiny.