Three legislative bodies honor Baronda after City Council snub

By Mariela Angella Oladive and Rjay Zuriaga Castor

While the Iloilo City Council rejected a resolution honoring her, Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda received official commendations from at least three legislative bodies in Western Visayas for her election as chairman of the National Movement of Young Legislators.

The Pavia Sangguniang Bayan, the Iloilo Provincial Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and the Antique Sangguniang Panlalawigan all passed resolutions congratulating Baronda.

At the Pavia Sangguniang Bayan session on March 3, SB member Ariel Gerada introduced the resolution, which fellow council members unanimously approved.

The Iloilo Provincial Board followed suit during its 33rd regular session on March 10 at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, with 5th District Board Member Rolex T. Suplico sponsoring the measure.

“(Baronda) has distinguished herself as a dynamic and principled public servant whose commitment to inclusive governance, legislative excellence, and community development has earned her the respect and admiration of her constituents, colleagues, and stakeholders,” Suplico said.

He also noted that some councilors in the province’s 5th District had earlier expressed support for honoring Baronda, citing her assistance during the campaign period for the NMYL national convention and election.

Suplico emphasized that the recognition is strictly for Baronda’s accomplishment and is not related to local political issues in Iloilo City.

“I will not intrude into the politics of the city. I am limiting this to recognizing the achievement because it deserves to be commended,” he stressed.

He noted that even if the City Council had also passed a resolution, the provincial commendation would still have proceeded.

“I believe that if an Ilongga becomes chairman of the NMYL, it is a commendable achievement. Iloilo City and the province are one, and her success is also a source of pride for Ilonggos,” he said.

Suplico said he had already planned to sponsor a resolution honoring Baronda but was only able to file it this week because the provincial board did not hold a session the previous week.

A copy of the resolution will be furnished to the vice mayor for her information and reference.

Baronda is the first woman from the Visayas elected to the top post of the NMYL. She won the chairmanship during the nationwide election held in Metro Manila from Feb. 23 to 25, securing 921 votes against 145 for her opponent from Ilocos Norte.

Founded in 1989 under President Corazon Aquino’s youth agenda, the NMYL unites city and municipal councilors, vice mayors, and provincial board members aged 40 and below to promote youth leadership in the country’s local governance.

At the Feb. 26 session of the City Council, Councilor Sheen Marie Mabilog, described as the vice mayor’s lone ally on the council, sponsored a similar resolution recognizing Baronda’s election.

The council rejected the measure.

Majority Floor Leader Rex Marcus Sarabia said the resolution lacked a direct impact on Ilonggos.

Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna argued that Baronda’s accomplishments as NMYL chairman should first be demonstrated.

Councilor Jose Maria “Nene” de la Llana suggested that the vice mayor be recognized during a flag ceremony instead. Although Baronda was formally acknowledged at the event, she was not able to attend because she was not informed that the recognition would take place.

Sarabia on Wednesday, March 11, defended the council’s decision, saying commending Baronda had “no public interest” and warning against what he called “princess politics,” or using political bodies to advance personal agendas.

“We are a legislative body, we pass resolutions, and our main point is that all the resolutions that we pass should have public interest, such as public security, safety, and welfare. These are aspects that need discussion,” he stressed.

“Let us distinguish real politics from princess politics. Our focus here should be on the welfare of the Ilonggos […] Let us not focus on the politics of personality. Let us focus on the legislative measures, solving the problems of the public,” he added.

He stressed that while other legislative bodies recognized the vice mayor, it does not invalidate the “judgment” of the Iloilo City Council.

Baronda, however, pushed back against the criticism. She said her election to the NMYL chairmanship was not for personal gain but to advance youth governance and legislation from the local to the national level.

She also slammed Sarabia for linking her to “princess politics,” arguing that when she was elected vice mayor, she never requested the City Council to give her special priority.

“I have always been very fair, very just in terms of our rules and our obligations in the City Council. I never favored someone because my principles and integrity give more weight in my role as vice mayor,” she said.