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Remulla Orders Probe On Suspended Makati SK Officials
Screengrab from DILG
Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday confirmed the suspension of two Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons in Makati City after they were found guilty of misconduct by the city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Speaking in Trece Martires City, Remulla identified the officials as Natalia Georgianna M. Tupaz of Barangay Dasmariñas and Cecilia Louise P. Yabut of Barangay Magallanes.
Remulla said the cases show that corruption has reached even SK officials in some of the country’s wealthiest barangays, adding that no local government unit is exempt from accountability regardless of size or income level.
Tupaz was suspended for six months under a March 23, 2026 resolution after allegedly demanding a 20 percent kickback from a supplier for a Halloween project. Investigators said the arrangement was supported by Viber messages and a phone call.
She was also found to have submitted an SK resolution with a falsified signature of the SK secretary. Records showed she had earlier tendered her resignation on March 8, 2026, subject to acceptance.
Yabut, meanwhile, was suspended for three months under an April 6, 2026 resolution after allegedly submitting documents containing forged signatures, including that of an SK kagawad who was reportedly abroad at the time. She admitted the documents were not personally signed but said prior consent had been given.
Remulla said Tupaz may face complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman for direct bribery, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), and falsification of public documents. Yabut and her SK treasurer may also face falsification charges over a purchase request.
The DILG chief also raised concerns about the SK system, citing recurring misconduct cases and issues in accountability at the youth council level.
He said that if constitutional changes move forward, he would recommend reviewing or abolishing the SK system, pointing to repeated violations and governance concerns.
Remulla also noted high attrition among SK officials, saying many leave office within a year due to marriage, work, or studies, which often leads to the appointment of officers-in-charge.
He added that barangay councils may be better positioned to handle youth affairs directly instead of holding separate SK elections.
Speaking in Trece Martires City, Remulla identified the officials as Natalia Georgianna M. Tupaz of Barangay Dasmariñas and Cecilia Louise P. Yabut of Barangay Magallanes.
Remulla said the cases show that corruption has reached even SK officials in some of the country’s wealthiest barangays, adding that no local government unit is exempt from accountability regardless of size or income level.
Tupaz was suspended for six months under a March 23, 2026 resolution after allegedly demanding a 20 percent kickback from a supplier for a Halloween project. Investigators said the arrangement was supported by Viber messages and a phone call.
She was also found to have submitted an SK resolution with a falsified signature of the SK secretary. Records showed she had earlier tendered her resignation on March 8, 2026, subject to acceptance.
Yabut, meanwhile, was suspended for three months under an April 6, 2026 resolution after allegedly submitting documents containing forged signatures, including that of an SK kagawad who was reportedly abroad at the time. She admitted the documents were not personally signed but said prior consent had been given.
Remulla said Tupaz may face complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman for direct bribery, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), and falsification of public documents. Yabut and her SK treasurer may also face falsification charges over a purchase request.
The DILG chief also raised concerns about the SK system, citing recurring misconduct cases and issues in accountability at the youth council level.
He said that if constitutional changes move forward, he would recommend reviewing or abolishing the SK system, pointing to repeated violations and governance concerns.
Remulla also noted high attrition among SK officials, saying many leave office within a year due to marriage, work, or studies, which often leads to the appointment of officers-in-charge.
He added that barangay councils may be better positioned to handle youth affairs directly instead of holding separate SK elections.
Apr 27, 2026
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