The Sangguniang Kabataan chairman of Barangay 32, Bacolod City , denied reports that she offered P5,000 in cash to SK chairmen during the election of the SK Federation officials Thursday.

Kaye Marie Yap, who earned 18 votes, lost to Kevin Daniel Ramos, who garnered 34 votes, for the position of SK Federation president. Pahanocoy SK chairman Jason Olivar got nine votes.

Yap said she did not offer money even to her core group who went with her to their rest house in Don Salvador Benedicto to plan out what they will do, in reaction to the claims of Councilor Dindo Ramos that he had received reliable information that the “other group” offered SK chairmen cellphones and P5,000 in cash.

Ramos had earlier said that there were some SK chairmen who were made to stay overnight at the Executive Inn by the “other group” a night before the SK Federation election.

Yap said there were two SK chairmen who came to them claiming that they were being forced to be housed at Sta. Fe Resort by Ramos. So her family offered to have them stay at the Executive Inn, she said. She also claimed it was the group of Ramos who offered the SK chairmen P40,000.

Ramos said the SK chairmen did not receive a single centavo from them but they were served lunch or dinner during meetings. He said the SK Federation election was not manipulated by the group of his son or by the administration. The supporters of his son even showed him the money that the “other group” gave them, he added.

Yap said her school (Tay Tung) and outgoing SK chairmen were supportive of her. Since the election is over she wants to concentrate on her studies, she said. She also advised Kevin to be independent and to stand on his own and not allow himself to be dictated upon by his father, she said.

“I wish him luck and I hope he does his best,” Yap said.*CGS

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