The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to file criminal complaints against two Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons and a treasurer in Makati City over separate allegations of graft, kickback demands, and falsification of public documents.
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla identified the respondents as SK chairpersons Natalia Georgianna Tupaz of Dasmariñas Village and Cecilia Louise Yabut of Magallanes Village, along with SK Magallanes treasurer Mapoy.
Remulla said Tupaz is accused of demanding a 20-percent kickback from a catering supplier for a Halloween event in October last year. The supplier, identified as Ms. Ricaza of JMVC Catering Services, allegedly negotiated the amount, which was later reduced to a P70,000 payment described as a “standard operating procedure.”
“During the inquiry, she did not deny asking for the kickback,” Remulla said.
He also cited a separate incident involving an SK resolution tied to a fund transfer discrepancy. According to Remulla, Tupaz claimed the SK secretary was out of town and unable to sign the document, prompting a relative to sign on the secretary’s behalf.
“She submitted the resolution with a forged signature,” he said.
The Dasmariñas Village Bids and Awards Committee had earlier filed administrative complaints for dishonesty, misconduct, and offenses involving moral turpitude before the Makati City Council. Tupaz questioned the evidence but was later suspended for six months. She submitted her resignation on March 8, which has yet to be acted upon by Makati Mayor Nancy Binay.
Remulla said the DILG recommends filing charges of direct bribery, violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and falsification of public documents against Tupaz. The complaint will be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a separate case, Remulla said Yabut and Mapoy face allegations of falsification related to an SK project in October last year. They were accused of forging the signature of SK Kagawad Ethan Sun, who was reportedly in Canada at the time.
“Yabut admitted that Kagawad Sun did not sign the document,” Remulla said.
Yabut has since been suspended for three months by the Makati City Council for misconduct.
The DILG also recommended filing falsification charges against Yabut and Mapoy over the alleged falsified purchase request and SK resolution.
Remulla said barangay officials involved in the process will not be held liable, noting they cooperated with the investigation.
The DILG said the cases aim to send a strong warning against corruption and document falsification among local youth officials.