MANILA — Two Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons in Makati City have been placed under suspension following allegations of corruption and document falsification, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the suspension of Natalia Georgianna M. Tupaz of Barangay Dasmariñas and Cecilia Louise P. Yabut of Barangay Magallanes, saying the agency will not tolerate misconduct regardless of the size or status of the local government unit involved.
“Corruption has reached even SK level, even in some of the most affluent barangays. We do not spare anyone, whether in small or wealthy communities,” Remulla said, emphasizing the government’s stance against irregularities.
He also criticized the alleged behavior of the officials, saying accountability should be expected from public servants.
The DILG said Tupaz was meted a six-month suspension under a March 23, 2026 resolution after she was accused of attempting to obtain a 20 percent kickback from a supplier linked to a Halloween project.
Authorities said evidence of the alleged scheme surfaced through Viber conversations and a recorded phone call.
She was also linked to the submission of an SK resolution bearing a forged signature of the SK secretary. Records indicated she had filed a resignation on March 8, 2026, pending official acceptance.
Meanwhile, Yabut was suspended for three months under an April 6, 2026 resolution after allegedly submitting official documents containing falsified signatures, including that of an SK council member who was abroad at the time.
She later acknowledged that the signatures were not personally affixed by the concerned individuals, although she claimed that consent had been given beforehand.
Remulla said Tupaz could face criminal complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman, including charges of direct bribery, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019), and falsification of public documents.
Yabut and her SK treasurer may also be held liable for falsification in connection with a purchase request.
ia/xf
