Iloilo City Vice Mayor and National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) Chairperson Lady Julie Grace โLove-Loveโ Baronda is under scrutiny after authorizing the use of her government-issued vehicle to City Councilor Sheen Marie Mabilog. According to reports, the white vehicle with Iloilo City Government logo and plate number SFA 2447 was used by Mabilog to purchase school supplies at GT Mall Molo on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at around 3:00 PM. The mall is located near Mabilogโs residence.
Mabilog confirmed she used the vehicle. A citizen identified only as โJunโ said he photographed the van and sent the images to local radio stations. In a radio interview, he stated: โAs a taxpayer, I was curious why a vehicle with a red plate is in the mall on a Sunday.โ Jun declined to provide his full name citing privacy. On Friday, May 29, 2026, Baronda said she is willing to submit to an investigation by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to help formulate stricter policies on government vehicle use.
In a statement, Baronda said: โAng public service nakabase sa integridad kag pagsalig sang aton mga kasimanwa. Open kag transparent ang aton opisina sa pagpaambit sang opisyal nga salakyan para sa legal kag official functions sang aton SP members kag mga empleyado. Normal kag madugay na ini nga ginaobra bisan antes pa ang akon termino, kag ginpadayon ko ini tungod ini ang husto nga pamaagi sa tunga sang limitado nga kagamitan sang gobyerno. Helping one another is the best way to keep our public services running smoothly.
Our office welcomes the ongoing investigation to clear the air and reinforce strict compliance with our rules. Padayon kita nga nagahimakas para sa tampad, patas, kag masaligan nga pag-serbisyo para sa mga Ilonggo.โ Mabilog has not released trip tickets or receipts to the media as of press time, despite earlier commitment to do so. Under DBM Circular 2022-1, a trip ticket must specify destination, purpose of travel, and names of authorized passengers and driver. COA Circulars 75-6 and 75-6A require specific and explicit authorization. Failure to secure such authorization creates a prima facie presumption of unauthorized use.
Mabilog also declined to comment on questions regarding her driver, Charles Lapascua, after a Land Transportation Office (LTO) -6 official said he holds only a student permit. Mabilog is the niece of newly appointed Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Public Safety Jed Patrick Mabilog. The DILG, the agency where Undersecretary Mabilog serves, issued Circular 2026-011 which bans the use of government vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays unless directly required for official functions.
Undersecretary Mabilog dismissed criticisms of his nieceโs use of the service vehicle as โhisaโ or envy, without naming specific individuals. The Sangguniang Panlungsod has yet to announce the schedule or scope of its investigation.
