2 SK chairs suspended for misconduct – DILG
MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday reiterated his call for the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) after two Makati youth leaders were suspended after the city council found them guilty of misconduct.
At a press briefing at Trece Martires City in Cavite, Remulla identified the SK officials as Natalia Georgianna Tupaz of Barangay Dasmariñas and Cecilia Louise Yabut of Barangay Magallanes. Both barangays are home to rich and influential individuals and families.
“Corruption has reached the SK all the way to the richest barangay. We are not singling out anyone, small or rich barangay,” the head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
“There is no more shame. You should be ashamed. You are already rich but you still steal,” he added.
Tupaz, according to a statement from the DILG, was slapped with a six-month suspension based on a March 23, 2026 resolution for allegedly demanding a kickback of 20 percent from a supplier for a Halloween project.
Investigators said the allegations against her were supported by Viber messages and a phone call.
Tupaz also allegedly submitted an SK resolution bearing a forged signature of the SK secretary. Records showed that she filed her resignation on March 8, subject to approval.
Yabut, on the other hand, was suspended for three months under an April 6, 2026 resolution for supposedly submitting documents with falsified signatures, including that of an SK kagawad who was reportedly abroad at the time.
While Yabut admitted that she did not personally secure the signatures, she said the signatories had given her prior consent.
Possible charges
According to Remulla, Tupaz may face charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for direct bribery, violation of Republic Act No. 3019 and falsification of public documents.
Yabut and her SK treasurer may also face falsification charges related to a purchase request.
Barangay Magallanes chair Jose Mari Alzona told the Inquirer that they regret Yabut’s involvement in the case, saying they would not tolerate such a violation.
“The barangay asserts that all the documents [that] served as the basis for their complaint are correct,” Alzona said, adding that they would assist and cooperate with the DILG and Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation into the case.
Remulla, meanwhile, reiterated his call for the abolition of the barangay youth council, saying that he would make such a recommendation should there be moves to amend the 1987 Constitution.
“We see the culture of corruption even among the youth,” he said.
He also cited the high attrition rate among SK officials, saying many leave office after the first year of their term due to marriage, employment or education, forcing village officials to appoint officers in charge.
According to Remulla, it may be more practical for barangay councils to designate individuals to oversee youth affairs instead of holding elections.
He floated last month the idea of abolishing the SK, saying many SK officers stop functioning within the first two years of their term. /cb
