‘LET’S GET IT ON’: COA fraud audit sought on ‘Baronda-facilitated’ projects

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

A fraud audit has been requested before the Commission on Audit (COA) involving infrastructure projects endorsed by Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda.

Baronda confirmed on Sunday that a former political ally sought COA’s intervention to investigate projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO).

She did not disclose the identity of the person who filed the request.

Baronda said she welcomed the investigation and expressed confidence it would disprove allegations of ghost or substandard projects in the city.

“I urge (COA) to finish their fraud investigation in no time so that the malicious imputation would be slapped with the truth that these projects are aboveboard and are not tainted with graft and corruption,” she said.

A fraud audit is a specialized review aimed at detecting and documenting possible misuse of government funds or property.

It focuses on investigating irregularities, verifying reports of fraud, and generating findings that could lead to legal action.

Baronda accused her critics of engaging in “black propaganda” to spread misinformation against her, which she said began before the 2025 elections and has continued since.

She claimed that some political opponents are positioning early for the 2028 elections and are attacking her now to weaken her chances later.

Baronda asserted that no specific project had been identified as ghost or nonfunctioning, calling the accusations politically motivated.

“What is clear is that we have unfinished the Arevalo, La Paz, and Jaro markets and an incomplete City Hospital, which are all funded by loans that we are paying through the 300% increase in real property tax,” she said.

These projects were implemented under the administration of former Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Baronda and Treñas, who were allies in the 2019 and 2022 elections, had a public falling out in early 2024 and have since issued apologies to voters for supporting each other.

Baronda also challenged her critics to push for a COA audit of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) District Jail Project, which was transferred from Ungka to Leganes.

She was referring to the PHP 581 million New Iloilo City District Jail Building in Barangay Buntatala, Leganes, which broke ground in June 2024 and is being built in phases.

The jail facility will occupy 2.5 hectares of land acquired by the Iloilo City Government from Leganes.

According to the DPWH, Phase I of the project, valued at PHP 72 million and undertaken by J.E. Tico Construction Co., Inc., is 68% complete.

Phase II, worth PHP 154 million and implemented by Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor and Development Corp., is currently 45% complete.