Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday reminded newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to refrain from appointing relatives as SK secretaries and treasurers.

"This appointment will mirror the SK officials' credibility and shall be a precedent to their leadership," he said.

"Kaya mahalagang simulan nila ito [appointment] nang tama. Bawal ang kamag-anak system sa pag-appoint ng SK secretary at treasurer," he added.

To further drive home his point, he issued the DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) 2023-167.

In the circular, he underscored that the new SK secretary and treasurer must not be within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national, regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official in the locality where he seeks to be appointed.

The new circular superseded DILG-issued MC No. 2018-131 dated August 15, 2018, which initially set the guidelines on the appointment of SK secretaries and treasurers.

Abalos further said that aside from refraining from appointing relatives, SK officials must choose qualified secretaries and treasurers within 60 days of their assumption of office.

"Bukod sa pagdalo sa SK Mandatory training, isa sa mga unang responsibilidad ng bagong SK officials ang pag-appoint ng secretary at treasurer," he pointed out.

"Hinihiling ko lang na sana ay piliin nila yung qualified sapagkat sila ang mga makakasama din nila sa paglilingkod," Abalos added.

In the same memorandum, the DILG Secretary spelled out the amended guidelines to assist SK officials in choosing a qualified secretary and treasurer pursuant to Section 10 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10742 as amended by RA No. 11768.

The appointee must also be a resident of the barangay for not less than one year; able to read and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect; and, must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude.