Baronda Maintains Strong Lead in Vice Mayoral Poll

(This story was updated to correct the headline: Baronda Maintains Strong Lead in Vice Mayoral Poll, not Congressional Poll)

Former councilor Love Baronda is maintaining a strong lead in the latest RACI survey conducted April 5–6, 2025, showing 53.3% support among Iloilo City voters in the congressional race.

With a ±4% margin of error, Baronda’s support ranges from 49.3% to 57.3%, giving her a 6.8-point advantage over Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, who garnered 46.5% support, within a range of 42.5% to 50.5%.

The statistically significant gap reflects continued public confidence in Baronda’s leadership and her pro-poor, pro-development legislative track record.

Baronda has authored 91 ordinances and 960 resolutions during her tenure, a legislative output that her team, Sulong Gugma, touts as evidence of her commitment to inclusive development and good governance.

Team Sulong Gugma promotes what it describes as a “klaro kag maligon nga plataforma sang panggobyerno,” grounded in the principle of Gugma (Love), which it says guides their advocacy for social services, transparency, and compassionate public service.

“In a time when voters demand real solutions and sincerity, our campaign remains focused on issues and the people,” Baronda said.

Critics, however, have questioned the impact of Ganzon’s 20-year public service—14 years as city councilor and six as vice mayor—arguing that his legislative contributions are “kulang kag wala sing impact.”

His most cited ordinance, which imposes a PHP5,000 fine on men found naked in public markets, has been labeled by detractors as trivial amid Iloilo City’s more urgent concerns.

The campaign period has also seen a contrast in tone, with Baronda’s camp highlighting their positive and issue-based messaging, while accusing some opponents of engaging in “below-the-belt tactics, character assassination, and personal insults.”

Meanwhile, the race for city council seats remains highly competitive, with eight candidates from each team reportedly within reach of the Magic 12 threshold, according to the same RACI survey.

With election day drawing near, observers note that candidates with clear platforms, genuine compassion, and a record of effective service are gaining ground among voters.

Team Sulong Gugma continues to campaign under the banner of Gugma para sa pumoluyo—a message that, for many Ilonggos, resonates with hope and sincerity.