By Kit Bagaipo
A new tax scheme imposing over 100-percent increase on real property assessments has both alarmed and confused Tagbilaran residents even as a class suit is still pending against city officials who approved its implementation.
Complainants of the revised real property taxation, representing Butalid Realty Inc., EB Gallares Properties and Associates Inc., Mercedes Subdivision Inc., Tagbilaran Women’s Club, Benjamin Udtohan and Simplicio Yap Jr., told the Chronicle that the tax assessment is being imposed by the city government despite their unresolved complaint on its legality.
Likewise, the new assessment’s implementation had been suspended by City Mayor Dan Lim until January 2009, the complainants said.
It may be recalled that a class suit was filed against Lim and three city officials by the complainants for implementing the new real property tax rate.
Until now, the case could not be resolved as all trial court judges in the city inhibited from handling the complaint. The case was endorsed to the Supreme Court to designate a judge who would preside over the case.
City Hall imposed a real property tax increase of 72.39 percent on lands and 35.67 percent on buildings effective January this year.
After suspending its implementation, Lim created an ad hoc committee to review the tax schedule based on Ordinance No. RC-058 while declaring a refund for residents who already paid their realty taxes.
The committee was also directed to look into the scope, authority and legal aspects in implementing the new tax adjustments.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=15091.0