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Monday, May 09, 2005
Mayor rejects waiving penalties, granting discounts on taxes
BAGUIO City Mayor Braulio Yaranon has vetoed a City Council resolution, waiving penalties and granting discounts on tax payments due to legal questions.
The mayor, in his message, cited three reasons to disapprove City Council Resolution No. 96-05. He said modifications of tax ordinance may only be done by amendatory ordinance which requires public hearing, that the resolution is 'omnibus' in nature and carries several and different subject matters which should be treated separately, and that payments for 2004 and 2005 are already carried in the approved budget estimates for 2004 and 2005.
"Consequently, the resolution is legally objectionable and has to be vetoed, despite its laudable objectives," Yaranon said.
He said the resolution touches on three matters:
First, was to extend to June 30, 2005 the deadline for the payment without penalties and surcharges of all local taxes, fees and charges and the processing of business permits in the city.
Second, was to grant a 50-percent discount on payment of annual business taxes and other local taxes or assessments for the last quarter of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005.
Third, was to approve the request of the Baguio-Benguet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with reference to Executive Order No. 01-05 to make voluntary or optional, and not mandatory, the attendance of licensee applicants in the seminar on character, smoking, liquor, health and life transformation.
The first matter was based on the proposed resolution of Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr., while the second was broached by Councilor Perlita Rondez. Both resolutions cited that the tax relief was in view of the slump suffered by local businessmen due to the health problem recently experienced by the city.
The third concern, on the other hand, was based on a letter from Chamber of Commerce president Alfonso Lao.
The City Council referred the mayor's action to their committee on laws for study and recommendation. (Aileen P. Refuerzo)
(May 9, 2005 issue)
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