The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson and treasurer of Barangay Boulevard, Molo, Iloilo City, have been suspended for three months without pay.
The Office of the Ombudsman found SK Chairperson Raidin Nicole Tan Benedicto and treasurer Chrisford Sicada Fernandez of simple misconduct.
The suspension stemmed from a complaint filed by Punong Barangay John Villanueva in 2024 over the alleged issuance of 16 checks without supporting documents.
The checks, amounting to P546 thousand, were issued by the two SK officials to a private contractor from March 5, 2024 to April 19, 2024, according to the village chief.
The total amount was supposedly intended for the purchase of school supplies, food packs, and medicines, but the contractor failed to deliver the items.
Benedicto and Fernandez maintained that they followed the proper process and they did not pocket the money for personal use. They said the amount was refunded by the contractor.
The SK two officials submitted a motion for reconsideration to the Ombudsman regarding the suspension.IMT
