The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has suspended two Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in Makati City following corruption allegations. The suspended officials were identified as Natalia Georgianna Tupaz of Barangay Dasmariñas and Cecilia Louise Yabut of Barangay Magallanes.
Details of the Suspensions
Natalia Tupaz was suspended for six months after allegedly demanding a 20% kickback from a supplier for a Halloween project. The investigation reportedly found supporting evidence through Viber messages and phone call records. She is also linked to alleged forgery of signatures on an SK resolution.
Cecilia Yabut, on the other hand, was suspended for three months for submitting documents with fake or unauthorized signatures, including the signature of an SK council member who was abroad at the time.
Possible Criminal Charges
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that Tupaz may face charges of direct bribery, violation of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), and falsification of public documents before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Call for SK Abolition
Secretary Remulla used the incident to renew calls for the abolition of the SK, suggesting that youth representation should instead be handled by barangay councils. He emphasized that corruption has reached the SK, even in the richest barangays. He also noted the high attrition rate among SK officials, with many leaving due to studies, work, or marriage, leading to interim officers.
Remulla had previously proposed the possibility of abolishing the SK amid calls for reform in the youth representation system at the barangay level.
Bombo Radyo Philippines remains open to the side of the two involved SK officials.
