Owner loses lots after failing to settle taxes

An owner of four parcels of land located in barangay Sambag II lost his right to own the 525 square meter lot that was sold by the city government in 1998 for not paying real property taxes.

Elpidio de Dios who is already residing in Carmen town in northern Cebu has failed to pay P74,400 real property tax for his lots despite of the series of demands by the City Treasurer''s Office.

It prompted the city officials to sell his properties in an auction and it was Ipher Q. Tabañag who offered the highest amount for the four parcels of lots amounting to only P23,931.

Some residents of barangay Sambag II said the property could now be sold at P500,000.

Section 260 of the Local Government Code allows the local government units to sell the properties of the delinquent taxpayers to satisfy the tax delinquency and expenses of the sale.

The law, however, also allows the property owner to redeem his property that was sold in auction within a one-year period from the date of its sale. But they are also required to pay a two percent interest per month on the purchase price.

City treasurer Tessie Camarillo said the city will be compelled to issue the final deed of sale to Cabañag because the delinquent taxpayer has not made any move to redeem his auctioned property.

The city officials said the case of De Dios should serve as a lesson to many real property owners who just ignored repeated demands for them to settle their delinquent taxes. - Rene U. Borromeo/BRP