![“This [flood control scheme] is a corruption on a scale that we have not seen in the past,” says Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon. “The Napoles scandal is like petty change compared to this.”](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ombudsman_copy_resized-218x150.jpg "FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL: Ombudsman cases filed vs DPWH staff, contractors")
ILOILO City – Cong. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda has fired back at critics, denying accusations of ghost and nonfunctioning projects in the city and challenging her detractors to scrutinize unfinished infrastructure under the city government instead.
“I can assure everyone that the innuendos and assertions that there are ghost and substandard projects in the city whose funding requirements have been facilitated by this representation would be proven to be falsehoods,” Baronda declared.
Baronda urged that investigations not be selective. She pointed to unfinished markets and the incomplete City Hospital as the real concerns.
“What is clear is that we have unfinished Arevalo, La Paz, and Jaro markets and an incomplete City Hospital, which are all funded by loans that we are paying through the 300 percent increase in real property tax,” she said.
Baronda added: “If they are intent on uncovering any misuse of public funds, I strongly suggest that they also request a fraud audit of the BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) District Jail Project that they transferred from Ungka to Leganes.”
Baronda accused detractors of resorting to election-season mudslinging.
“Their black propaganda during the campaign season leading to the 2025 elections has not ceased due to their incessant desire to destroy my name and honor, desperately hoping that they will triumph in the 2028 elections,” she said.
The lawmaker insisted that all projects facilitated through the Department of Public Works and Highways – Iloilo City District Engineering Office (DPWH-ICDEO) are legitimate, functional, and aboveboard.
She said she does not fear scrutiny.
“Just like what I said right after the SONA (State of the Nation Address) of President (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.), I welcome any and all investigations into the infrastructure projects in the legislative district of Iloilo City,” Baronda added.
According to her, none of the projects tied to her office had been proven irregular.
“Aside from mere allegations, no project was identified as ghost, and no project was indicated as nonfunctioning. In sum, all are just propaganda,” she asserted.
The issue comes as flood control projects — criticized by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as “delayed” and palpak — remain under scrutiny. Some questions are expected to be answered this week by the district engineer./PN
