SK chairman files complaint vs Manila Vice Mayor Servo, councilors over ouster

MANILA, Philippines – Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman Juliana “Yanyan” Ibay has filed a complaint against Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo and other councilors, contesting the council’s decision to remove her as chairman of the Committee on Youth Welfare and Development during what she describes as a “secret session.”

As the SK Federation president, she is legally entitled to her position as chairman of the youth committee under Section 22 of the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 and Section 50 of the Local Government Code, Ibay said in her complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday, September 20.

“It sets a dangerous precedent for each and every SK official not only in the city of Manila but also in the entirety of the Philippines,” Ibay said.

The complaint alleges culpable violation of the Constitution, violation of the Local Government Code and the Sangguniang Kabataan Act of 2015, oppression and grave abuse of authority, misconduct in office, and unethical standards in public service.

Last July 23, Manila City Council majority floor leader Ernesto Isip Jr. moved to declare the seats vacant “in view of recent political events in the City of Manila.” This motion was approved by the council.

This motion effectively stripped council members, including Ibay, of their roles in various committees.

Ibay argued that the “secret session” was “illegal” because the 17 members of the City Council were not notified about the July 23 meeting, effectively depriving them of their rights to participate.

Ibay noted that the Manila City Council was also supposed to be on recess and was scheduled to resume on July 30 after the renovations to the session hall.

During a press conference last August 27, Servo dismissed these allegations, noting that the session was broadcast live on social media and attended by both majority and minority members.

However, in her complaint, Ibay pointed out that the motion to declare all seats vacant was not livestreamed. The session started at 2:35 pm but the online broadcast of the session began only at 2:39 pm, the SK chairman said.

The session also was held despite Malacañang’s declaration to suspend government work in Metro Manila starting at 2 pm due to the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Carina. 

On August 8, the council also amended its Internal Rules of Procedure dissolving the Committee on Youth Welfare and Sports Development. 

During the August 13 session, Ibay raised questions about the council’s decision, to which Isip responded by directing her to address her concerns through the “proper forum.”  The SK chairman confronted Servo during the August 15 session but he was evasive and declared a recess instead. 

Aside from Servo and Isip, other respondents in the case are the following: 

• Pamela Fugos-Pascua
• Terrence Alibarbar 
• Johanna MaureenNieto-Rodriguez 
• Louisito Chua 
• Numero Lim 
• Benny Fog Abante III 
• Roma Paula Robles-Daluz 
• Arlene Maile Atienza 
• Krystle Marie Bacani 
• Science Reyes 
• Niño Dela Cruz 
• Moises Lim 
• Martin Isidro, Jr. 
• Ruben Buenaventura 
• Rodolfo Lacsamana 
• Macario Lacson 
• Charry Ortega 
• Leilani Marie Lacuna 

In response to the issue, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued a memorandum reminding local officials that the elected president of the SK Federation, as an ex officio member of the city or municipal council, is entitled to lead the committee on youth and serve as an ex officio member of local special bodies.

Rappler has reached out to Servo for comment but has yet to receive a response. Servo is currently seeking reelection alongside incumbent Mayor Honey Lacuna under Lakas-CMD. 

Meanwhile, there are reports that former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who was previously Lacuna’s running mate, intends to run again for the position. Ibay is affiliated with Moreno’s Aksyon Demokratiko party.

“Darating ang oras magiging opisyal ang lahat. Basta ako sa ngayon nakikinig ako sa taong bayan. Pinapakinggan ko ‘yung daing nila, pinpakinggan ko ‘yung dumandamin nila at balang araw ay magdedesisyon din tayo,” Moreno said in an interview posted on his Facebook this month, in response to the reports.

(The time will come when everything will be official. For now, I am listening to the people. I am hearing their complaints, I am listening to their struggles, and one day we will also make a decision.) – Rappler.com