City suspects collusion in issuance of fake permits

The Revenue Task Force of the Cebu City government is looking into the possibility of connivance among employees or officials in the issuance of a business permit after three more fake business permits were found in routine inspections conducted recently.

In relation to this, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday ordered the closure of these three business establishments in the city for operating without business permits.

Nanette Sungahid, head of the Revenue Task Force, said that based on the routine inspections conducted by the Tax Mapping on business establishments in the city, it was found out that Cebu Security Agency in B. Rodriguez Street, RB Car Trade in Salvador Street, Labangon and Nolsie Trading in V. Gullas Street were operating their businesses without business permits.

Aside from such violation, the three establishments were also found to have used a falsified business permit, therefore violating another law that prohibits the falsification of public documents.

Sungahid pointed out that the signatures of those responsible for the issuance of business permits were forged and that the permits were just photocopied.

Osmeña, in his letter addressed to Ophelia Alcordo of Cebu Security Agency, Rafael Burgos of RB Car Trade, and Nolasco Cisneros of Nolsie Trading, said that based on initial review and all factors considered, there is sufficient reason to believe that these three establishments have deliberately failed in the complete payment of business taxes, a violation under the City's Revised Tax Ordinance.

"Please cease and desist from further operating your business immediately upon receipt of this order," Osmeña said.

Earlier, six establishments in the city were already ordered closed for using fake permits.