LA TRINIDAD Mayor Romeo Salda is standing firm on the validity of the revised revenue code of the municipality saying due process was done before acquiring favorable review.
"We have explained to them the revenue code, they have filed the complaint to DOJ, we'll see what the local government will be doing. This revenue code have passed the process with consultation and was favorably reviewed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan."
The chief executive has reacted to an appeal of 29 petitioners to the Department of Justice seeking for the nullification of the revised revenue code. Some 500 signatories coming from the business sector of the municipality have signed in the petition including owners of restaurants, sari-sari store, boarding house, realtors, and vegetable traders.
The petition said the increase of tax rates, fees, and or charges under the revised revenue code of the municipality of La Trinidad is baseless, unreasonable, unjust, excessive, oppressive, conficatory and contrary to declared national policy hence, null and void.
Salda said they have also extended the time of payment of business taxes until January 31, 2018 without penalties imposed provided for the increase on the fees and charges from taxpayers, adding the municipal administrator and municipal treasurer have conducted dialogue with the petitioners regarding the increase of tax rates.
The mayor added they have not yet received the complaint and the municipal legal officer will be preparing the answer of the local government unit.