Saturday, January 21, 2006
Treasurer's office capable of probing tax anomalies
By Barbara Carla R. Quiero
THERE is no need to create another investigation body just to probe if four agricultural companies in Davao City are really not paying their taxes as alleged by some accusers, City Administrator Wendel E. Avisado said Friday.
Councilor Diosdado A. Mahipus urged City Hall officials Tuesday to create an investigation division, separate from the City Treasurer's Office (CTO), to handle cases of big business firms in the country that are not paying local business taxes.
"There is no need to create another division because we already have the CTO," Avisado said.
He said the CTO is tasked not only to collect taxes but also monitor and investigate the business transactions of all establishments in the city.
"The CTO is not even under the Office of the Administrator but directly under the City Mayor's Office," Avisado said.
"I have already instructed the CTO upon the direction of the city mayor to conduct appropriate investigation and look at the matter brought up by Councilor Mahipus," he stressed.
Avisado, however, made it clear that City Hall is not closing its doors to the possibility of putting up such body if the need arises.
"If there's a need to create another division, why not...We are really doing our best," he added.
At the moment, though, there's no need for it, Avisado said.
On Tuesday, the City Council vowed to investigate the four firms.
Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar urged Mahipus, during the plenary session, to furnish him a copy of the letter from a "concerned citizen" containing the names of the four agri-businesses and their affairs so he could start with the investigation, being the chair of the committee on finance.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (January 21, 2006 issue)
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