Parañaque resumes auction of properties of tax delinquents

The city government of Parañaque will auction off today commercial lands owned by a real estate firm in a continuing move to go after more big fish among delinquent taxpayers, according to Mayor Joey Marquez.

Up for bidding at the Sangguniang Panglunsod at the Parañaque City Hall in Bgy San Antonio are parts of the real estate properties of Manila Bay Land Holding, Inc. and its subsidiary, Manila Bay Park Development, Inc., all located in Bgy Tambo. Both parent and subsidiary firms owe the city government about P59.2 million in back taxes, including interests. On April 7, prime real estate properties of the Public Estate Authority covered by 17 titles, Marquez added, will also go on the auction block to recover the government firm’s tax deficiencies amounting to P267,386,893.76. These properties, according to Marquez, are located in Bgys Don Galo, Baclaran, La Huerta, San Dionisio and Tambo.

Also to be auctioned off alongside PEA’s lands are the commercial and residential lots of Filstream International, Inc. (with tax deficiency of P21,228,672.41) in Tambo and the commercial building of one Pastor Lim (P4,860,287.20) in San Antonio.

"It’s high time we put the pressure on delinquent taxpayers, especially government-controlled corporations," said Marquez.

"How can we expect people to pay their taxes if those in government who are supposed to set the example don’t pay theirs," Marquez said.

Marquez vowed tougher actions against all types of tax delinquents, saying their continuous refusal to settle tax obligations deny the public quick delivery of basic services that their prompt payment of taxes could have brought about." In a bold move, the city government of Parañaque showed the way in auctioning off properties of defaulting taxpayers, starting with the auction of vital portions of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the international runway on Feb. 7, and is reaping exceptionally handsome dividends.

D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc., in arrears since 1998, came out of a losing court battle, and paid Parañaque over P190 million in back real estate taxes on Feb. 7, according to records of the city treasurer’s office. Marquez said the payment "is an all-time high for Paranaque in terms of tax collected from a single taxpayer in a single day."

City Treasurer Liberato Carabeo said the tax remittance might have also topped Paranaque’s record for total monthly revenue take based on 2000-2002 figures in January. He said January is usually the peak month for revenue collection when businesses collectively renew their licenses or permits to operate.

Including taxes and license fees, Paranaque City, Carabeo said, collected revenues of P166 million in Jan. 2000, P141 million in Jan. 2001, and P162 million in Jan. 2002.