City to file case vs concert promoter for unsettled tax

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Cebu City attorney Rodolfo Golez threatened to file civil and criminal charges against a concert promoter who reportedly failed to pay his P229,460 amusement tax to the city.

In his report to the City Council, Golez said his office had already sent final demand letter to Ferdinand “Bong” Bantilan, manager of BCB Production with office on the 14th floor of Club Ultima Building, to settle his account.

It was learned that acting city treasurer Renee Empaces, who is also the regional director of the Bureau of Local Government-Finance (BLGF), had already sent demand letters to Bantilan. The promoter, however, reportedly just ignored the demand.

According to Golez, Bantilan failed to pay the tax from the “Diva 2 Concert” held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino last January 12.

Golez warned Bantilan that he would be filing the proper charges if Bantilan fails to settle his obligations within five days after receiving the communication from the city attorney’s office.

Meanwhile, the members of the city treasurer’s tax mapping team have been dispatched throughout the city to identify business firms that are not paying taxes.

The law allowed local government units to sell through public auction any business establishments whose owners are delinquent in paying their tax obligations. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)