Ex-Batangas vice mayor questions property tax hike

BATANGAS CITY, Philippines   â€“ Former Batangas City vice mayor Jose Virgilio Tolentino has questioned the legality of the real property tax (RPT) increase in the city before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a six-page document he filed on Jan. 29, Tolentino said Ordinance 20 Series of 2013 is “excessive, inequitable and confiscatory” as the increase was from 200 percent to 1,400 percent.

He questioned the method used to determine the tax increase, adding that notices were not sent to affected residents.

 â€œAnother ground stated is the glaring and fatal disregard of the procedural requirement provided for by law as well as the absence of public hearing, notices and publication,” he said.  

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and former DOJ secretary Hernando Perez supported Tolentino’s complaint.

“Include me among those who reject RPT20.  It is oppressive and unfair to Batangueños!” Arguelles posted on his Facebook account.

Meanwhile, in an open letter to the provincial board, Perez said the increase had no appropriate tax mapping and was done indiscriminately.

Perez questioned an earlier decision of the city condoning the over P9-billion arrears in the payment of real property taxes of Kepco Ilijan Corp.

In 2012, charges were filed with the Office of the Ombudsman against former Batangas City mayor Vilma Dimacuha and eight city councilors for collecting only P925 million or less than 10 percent of the P9.9 billion total tax due by virtue of a compromise agreement.