AN OUTGOING local legislator has claimed that Cebu City raised the assessed value of some properties by as much as 3,200 percent without following the proper legal steps, alleging that this was done through a scheme involving the city’s computer system.
Councilor Rey Gealon requested the Office of the Mayor to create a task force to investigate and nullify real property tax assessments allegedly issued through an “AS400 stamp override scheme.”
In a privilege speech on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Gealon said he was dismayed by reports from the City Legal Office. He said he was “stunned” by findings that showed market values increasing by as much as 700 percent, with some reaching 3,200 percent, all allegedly “without due process.”
The AS400 is a midrange computer system from IBM, developed in 1988. It is known for its reliability and security in handling business applications.
The councilor did not elaborate on the “stamp override scheme.” However, according to a post in IBM’s website, an override is a control language command that “temporarily changes a file name, a device name, or remote location name associated with the file, or some of the other attributes of a file.” A stamp override likely refers to a manipulation or unauthorized alteration of data within the AS400 system.
The proposed task force would be composed of representatives from the City Assessor’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office and City Legal Office.
Gealon also called on the Human Resource and Development Office to issue notices to employees, urging their cooperation in the investigation and their readiness to serve as witnesses.
He said the sudden tax hikes have a human impact.
“Behind every tax imposed is a family, small business, retiree and others,” Gealon said.
“These sudden increases mean a difference between security and uncertainty, between hope and despair,” he added.
He said there would be consequences for inaction.
“If we allow irregularity to fester, if we turn a blind eye to the suffering of our constituency, then we betray not just our very oaths, but the very soul of our city,” he said./ JPS