‘What’s in it for us?’ Watchdog slams Iloilo budget feud

By Juliane Judilla

ILOILO CITY — Anti-corruption group Kahublagan Kontra Kurapsyon (KKK)-Panay has weighed in on the escalating political tensions in Iloilo City over office budget allocations, calling the dispute a distraction from the pressing concerns of ordinary Ilonggos.

The group’s press statement comes amid controversy over the proposed 2027 budget of the Office of the Vice Mayor (OVM), headed by Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda, whose proposed allocation reportedly suffered significant cuts, including the removal of its capital outlay.

The group stressed that it does not side with any political faction and that its fight is against corruption, abuse of power, misuse of public funds, and the lack of accountability, regardless of who commits them.

Baronda earlier raised concerns that the reduced allocation could limit her office’s capacity to acquire essential equipment and carry out its functions.

She also noted that the approved amount was considerably lower than previous allocations and those received by previous vice mayors.

Last year, the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, which Baronda heads, faced a PHP 19 million reduction in its proposed 2026 budget.

City Budget Officer Viminale Capulso, however, maintained that the reductions were based on the legal mandate of the legislative branch, explaining that some of the vice mayor’s proposed programs fell under the responsibilities of the executive branch under Department of Budget and Management (DBM) guidelines.

The City Budget Office also clarified that the reductions were part of an across-the-board austerity measure affecting various city government offices, with resources redirected toward health care, education, and social welfare programs.

In a separate statement, Baronda expressed concern over Capulso’s reported description of her office’s proposed programs as wala naga-angot (not aligned) and medyo tagilid (somewhat questionable), questioning why these concerns were not raised during the technical budget hearing.

According to Baronda, the OVM’s proposed budget underwent presentation, discussion, and scrutiny during the Local Finance Committee (LFC) technical hearing, where she said the concerns raised were addressed and the necessary justifications provided.

She pointed out that the LFC, of which Capulso is a member and whose hearing she attended, approved the proposed budget at a reduced amount.

The proposal was also subsequently included in the 2027 Annual Investment Program (AIP).

Baronda questioned why the committee approved the programs and included them in the AIP if they supposedly had legal or technical deficiencies.

She acknowledged, however, that approval at the committee level does not automatically guarantee final approval, recognizing the authority of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to deliberate and act on the proposed budget.

She emphasized that budget scrutiny should be conducted through proper channels and supported by clear legal and technical grounds, calling for fairness, consistency, professionalism, and transparency throughout the process.

“The proposed budget of the Office of the Vice Mayor is intended to support programs and initiatives for the welfare and benefit of the Ilonggos. These proposals deserve to be evaluated objectively, based on their merits, legality, and intended public benefit,” she said.

In a statement on Thursday, Nov. 5, the City Budget Office said inclusion in the AIP does not guarantee funding under the annual budget, since the total requirements listed in the AIP may exceed the city’s estimated revenues.

The Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia, is set to hold hearings next week on the proposed budgets of the city’s various offices.

Iloilo City is seeking a PHP 4.8 billion budget for 2027, up 6.67% from its PHP 4.5 billion budget for 2026.

Political feud a distraction

The latest controversy has also revived questions about the city’s budget management following the DBM’s declaration of Iloilo City’s entire 2025 annual budget as inoperative due to an internal miscommunication and miscalculation involving the city’s National Tax Allotment (NTA).

In February 2025, the DBM declared the 2025 budget “inoperative in its entirety” after the City Budget Office based its computation on an initial NTA estimate. A June 27, 2024 DBM letter containing the correct figure had not been forwarded to the budget officer preparing the budget.

The error left the city’s NTA share understated by PHP 9,175,216, prompting the City Council to rectify the budget and raise it to PHP 4,143,175,216.

Against this backdrop, KKK-Panay urged the public not to be distracted by political rivalries, emphasizing that public office is neither a political prize nor the personal property of any politician or political family.

“KKK-Panay views the ongoing political feud between factions in Iloilo City as a distraction from the people’s real concerns,” the group said.

It also questioned whether the political dispute would translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary residents.

“While they fight over power, ordinary Ilonggos are left wondering: What’s in it for us? Does any of this put food on the table, improve public services, or address our everyday problems?” the statement read.

The group stressed that public funds belong to the people and that government officials are duty-bound to protect and use these resources responsibly.

It also invoked the principles of truth, justice, freedom, unity, and people’s power, saying that public officials who abuse their positions and betray public trust must be exposed and held accountable.

KKK-Panay said it would not defend one politician against another or take part in what it described as personal political disputes.

“Our fight is against corruption, whoever commits it and whatever political camp they belong to,” the group said.

The organization added that, in more than a year of existence, it has conducted campaigns and activities aimed at exposing wrongdoing, raising public awareness, and encouraging citizens to demand accountability from those in power.

Citing Deuteronomy 29:4, the group called on Ilonggos to remain vigilant and not allow political rivalries to obscure issues of public accountability.

“The people are not spectators in the political fights of those in power. They are the ones who pay the price,” KKK-Panay said.

The controversy has put the city’s budget process under greater public scrutiny, raising questions about the consistency of budget evaluations, the authority of the offices involved, and whether political disagreements are affecting the delivery of public services.