ILOILO City – With a vision of “Good Urban Governance and Meaningful Advocacies” (GUGMA) to tackle deep-seated societal issues, Team Sulong Gugma led by House Deputy Majority Leader and Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda and former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, officially launched their campaign yesterday.
Joined by former councilor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda, who is running for vice mayor, and their 10-member slate for the city council, the team began the first day of the local campaign period with a Mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño de Arevalo, followed by a visit to the coastal barangays of Arevalo, engaging with residents and sharing their vision for inclusive progress.
Through an advocacy video they premiered before their supporters, Team Sulong Gugma vowed to productively work with the ordinary Ilonggos to find solutions to their miserable living conditions.
In a heartfelt video that moved the audience to tears, Rep. Jam-Jam Baronda acknowledged the people’s sense of helplessness, while Love-Love Baronda assured the featured family that their team has a clear platform to tackle the city’s most pressing issues.
The candidates for councilor announced the advocacies they will champion:
* Dr. Von Deveza – Healthcare System Strengthening & Mental Health
* Atty. Kesha Pesina Tupas – Traffic Management and Public Transport Modernization; Women Empowerment
* Stanley Flores – Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation
* Peter Oñate – Affordable Housing and Urban Poor Resettlement
* GM Ariete Ramos – Economic Support for Small Businesses and MSMEs
* Jun Capulot – Anti-illegal drugs, anti-corruption, Cultural Heritage Preservation and Inclusive Tourism
* Jose “Mor” Espinosa IV – Sustainable Waste Management and Environmental Protection; PWD and Senior Citizens Welfare
* Atty. R Leone “Boots” Gerochi – Transparency and Accountability in Governance
* Sheen Marie Mabilog – Education and Youth Development
* Bryant Zulueta – Job Creation and Livelihood Opportunities
“I am overjoyed seeing you all. You motivated me to be the best version of myself. After more than a year of being ditched [by my political ally] I have survived. I am very blessed because the people have seen my hard work, my service, since 2019. I gave you my all-out service that is why you are paying it back. You are showing your love because all these years I have loved you,” Rep. Baronda told the crowd, who prepared a small stage along the beach of Barangay Sto. Niño Norte, Arevalo.
The activity concluded with a lively boodle fight, where participants shared a communal feast of rice, eggs, and hotdogs, fostering camaraderie and unity among attendees.
“We are with you today because you have the power. We should be your servants. We must have an inclusive, bottom-up governance. Let us stop corruption. The helpless and needy should have leaders to go to for help. Team Sulong Gugma has a clear vision and platform to pluck you, our dear people, from your misery,” she added.
Former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, the campaign manager, revealed that they avoided holding pomp and grandiose rally not only to avoid causing inconvenience to motorists and commuters but to be with the suffering people as he reflected on the day’s Gospel reading saying, “The Gospel today reminds us to Isulong ang Gugma by extending genuine love and compassion to others. Ang matuod nga paghigugma nagapakita sa ginabuhat, indi lang sa hambal.”
“Ginahagad kita nga padayunon ang pagbulig sa aton isigkatawo, labi na sa mga nagakinahanglan sang aton pagpalangga kag suporta,” he further said.
He added, “Sa iya homilya, ginpahayag ni Fr. Joenick Territorio nga kinahanglan buligan naton ang tatlo ka grupo: Ang mga needy, kay sila ang nangin salaligan sa aton pagsinalayo kag kabakod; ang mga nagakabagay, pareho sang scholars, teachers, daycare workers, kag kapulisan nga naga-alagad sa katawhan kag komunidad; and ang mga donors and sponsors sa grupo.”
“Kung buligan naton ang mga mabulinigon, mas mangin malapad pa ang ilang abilidad sa pagpadayon sa ila pagserbisyo sa iban. Gani ini ang ginabuhat sang Team Sulong Gugma BB-DP-FORCE-GMZ,” Mabilog stressed.
Vice Mayoral candidate Love-Love Baronda said she is blessed and thankful for receiving the continuous love and support of the Ilonggos. “I asked myself why I am running for vice mayor. That is because I am guided by my favorite Bible verse – do everything in love.”
She added that she wants to be the vice mayor to help and serve the Ilonggo people and be a true, independent leader of the city legislature.
“I have a proven track record of delivering on my promises. When I served the City Council for nine years, I authored 91 ordinances and 960 resolutions,” she disclosed.
“And I will help address the problems faced by the Ilonggos and help bring about jobs, business, and housing. I will work hard to achieve these with L.O.V.E — LEADERSHIP with good governance through OPEN collaboration, VALUING people’s participation, and EMPOWERING communities,” she stressed.
She also emphasized that BDP-FORCE-GMZ will remain independent and committed to checks and balances in local governance.
“We will not be dictated upon. We will not obstruct just for the sake of opposition. But BDP-FORCE-GMZ will always ensure a vibrant system of checks and balances between the executive and the legislature,” she said.
“We will say yes to measures that would help address poverty and benefit or uplift the lives of our people,” she added.
Atty. John Mallare, spokesperson of Team Sulong Gugma, said that Team Sulong Gugma has a “show of love” from the ordinary people who lined up the beachfront of Barangays Santo Niño Norte, Santo Niño Sur, and Calaparan.
Rep. Baronda said their slate will work together to effect policies to cure the miseries of the Ilonggos wrought by nearly P4 billion in loans that triggered a staggering 300% increase in Real Property Tax (RPT), which made Iloilo City have the second highest inflation rate in December 2024 at 5.4%./PN