Provincial assessor retires

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial assessor who is among the respondents of the Balili property controversy has retired from his position and is eyeing an elective post in his hometown for the coming local polls.

Engr. Anthony Sususco, 63, bid farewell to his subordinates at the Capitol yesterday, being his last day in office after 40 years in government service.

Sususco said he is eyeing an elective position in his hometown, Catmon, Cebu, following the footsteps of his father, the late vice mayor Jesus Sususco, who served for two terms from 1986 to 1990.

Being the head of the Provincial Appraisal Committee, Sususco was among the respondents of the controversial purchase of the Balili property in Naga City, along with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other Capitol officials.

Sususco said that his job was only to determine the value of the property, if it is titled and if all taxes were paid.

“I feel that I’m innocent, I’m just doing my job,” Sususco said.

The case is still pending before the anti-graft office.

Sususco started his career at the Provincial Engineering Office in 1972 and was transferred to the Provincial Assessor’s Office in 1975 until his retirement.

He was appointed head of the office during the last term of then governor Pablo Garcia from 2001 to 2004.

Last December, Sususco was awarded as Outstanding Provincial Assessor in Region 7 by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

“Nindot ang feeling nga naka-retire ta nga dunay gihatag nga award, (It feels good to retire with an award.)” he told reporters.

Sususco said some of his achievements include raising the assessed value of real properties in the Province of Cebu from P14 billion to P24 billion, with collectible real estate taxes amounting to P418 million this year.

Another accomplishment he cited is the unity among his subordinates after having factions in the past years.

“That is an achievement,” he said.

Sususco admired the leadership of Governor Gwen Garcia even as he admitted having been scolded once just recently.  (FREEMAN)