City Hall no longer suing concert promoter

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City government will no longer push through with its threat to file criminal charges against a concert promoter after he paid P150,000 as advance payment for his amusement tax obligations to the city.

Ferdinand “Bong” Bantilan, manager of BCB Production with office on the 14th floor of Club Ultima Building, showed to The FREEMAN an official receipt issued by the city treasurer’s office to him to prove that he had paid the partial payment.

Acting city treasurer Renee Empaces had sent a formal communication to city attorney Rodolfo Golez informing the latter that Bantilan had promised to settle the remaining balance of P79,640 within this month.

Bantilan said the delayed in the payment of his amusement taxes amounting to P229,640 was due to the fact that he made it clear that the checks he received from his clients will not bounce.

He said he was surprised upon reading in The FREEMAN last week that Golez had issued a final demand letter to him when he had already paid the initial payment last February 23.

It was found out that the city treasurer’s office failed to inform Golez about the latest development, prompting the latter to inform the City Council that a final demand letter had already been sent to Bantilan.

Golez explained that Bantilan’s tax dues stemmed from the holding of the “Diva 2 Concert,” which he promoted, at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu City Hotel and Casino last January 12.

The Local Government Code allows local government units to sell through auction any business establishments whose owners are delinquent in paying their tax obligations. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM (THE FREEMAN)