By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda has dismissed allegations of unexplained wealth, saying her family has always lived modestly.
“We lived a very simple life, and the people know that,” she said in an interview on Tuesday, April 1. “There is nothing to fear.”
The accusations stem from a complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman by disbarred lawyer and former Iloilo City councilor Plaridel Nava questioning her assets accumulated over six years in office.
The 25-page complaint affidavit detailed 27 properties and luxury items reportedly under Baronda’s name, including condominium and housing units in Metro Manila and Quezon City, a bulletproof vehicle, four other cars, as well as jewelry, watches, shoes, bags and other personal items.
The complaint also cited Baronda’s frequent travels to Europe, North America and Asia with her family, suggesting these are inconsistent with her congressional salary, especially in the absence of any declared business ventures.
To support the claims, the complainant requested the Ombudsman to subpoena Baronda’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2019 to 2025 and her Income Tax Returns from 2010 to 2025.
While Baronda welcomed the complaint, she emphasized that it is politically motivated.
“These cases are part of their political agenda — to instill fear, to tarnish our name,” she said.
“But since then, we have never had cases involving theft or corruption.”
Asked if she is willing to submit her SALN, Baronda replied, “Of course, why not?”
She said she has been submitting her SALN annually and sees no issue in making it public.
“The residents of Iloilo City are smart,” she added.
“They know me since I was SK president, then councilor, and now as the first congresswoman. My life is an open book.”
Baronda also laughed off the photographs included in the complaint, noting some were taken during special occasions such as the State of the Nation Address.
“If it’s a SONA, you prepare to look presentable,” she said.
“You’re representing Iloilo City.”
She dismissed the claims as “funny,” noting that many dresses and accessories worn at formal events were borrowed from designer friends.
She also denied owning a bulletproof vehicle.
“I don’t have a bulletproof vehicle. Those are just lies,” she said.
Baronda added that she occasionally borrows such vehicles when hosting important visitors.
