Labangon SK rejects ‘trial by social media’ over Thailand trip controversy
Their statement drew mixed reactions online.
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Amid public scrutiny, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay Labangon, Cebu City, urged the public to await official findings and be cautious of claims circulating online regarding their controversial overseas trip.
In a statement released on May 10, 2026, the youth officials said they would issue a full response after the Commission on Audit (COA) completes its review of the SK budget amid allegations of the misuse of public funds for personal travel.
“Amo ning tubagon ug tarong pinaagi sa proper process once mahuman ang official COA review and documentation aron masiguro nga sakto, verified, ug legally compliant ang tanang impormasyon nga ipresentar,” their statement read.
(We will respond to this properly after the official COA review and documentation is finished to ensure that the information presented is correct, verified, and legally compliant.)
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They added that the matter should be addressed through proper forums and authorities rather than through what they described as a “trial by social media.”
SK Labangon’s defense
The controversy stemmed from reports showing SK members vacationing in Thailand in December 2025, raising questions about their priorities amid alleged gaps in youth programs.
In response, the council maintained that the trip was personally funded and supported this claim by presenting travel authority documents approved by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“No public funds were used for personal travel, and all necessary processes were properly complied with,” the statement read.
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The officials also expressed readiness to present records of their projects and accomplishments to counter claims that they have been inactive.
“Just because wala mi nag sige ug post sa social media does not mean wala mi naglihok (Not posting our work on social media does not mean we aren’t doing anything),” they said.
“Not everything is documented online, but the work and services rendered are real and can be properly accounted for.”
Mixed reactions
Despite the explanation, reactions online remained divided, with some residents questioning both the timing and substance of the SK’s response.
Concerned locals raised issues regarding the delay in issuing a statement and the relevance of the trip in question.
“It is very laughable that the SK chairman only released a statement after almost five months regarding the issues being raised. Many of the important concerns and questions were not directly addressed in the statement,” said Jonel Saceda, also known online as Inday Josa Chiongbian Osmeña.
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Saceda also questioned the legitimacy of the statement, saying that consensus among council members is essential when addressing matters involving public accountability.
“The so-called ‘official statement’ cannot fully be considered official if the majority of the council did not concur with or agree to its contents. In any organization or council, transparency and collective accountability are important, especially when addressing matters involving public trust,” Saceda told CDN Digital.
The issue first gained traction online as posts about the trip circulated widely, fueling debate over transparency, accountability, and the conduct of public officials.
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