Two "delinquent taxpayers" interested in redeeming properties

CEBU, Philippines – Several taxpayers and property owners attended the public hearing conducted by the Cebu City Council yesterday that discussed on the creation of a group whose task is to intensify the disposal of all properties owned by delinquent taxpayers.

However, only two property owners spoke during the hearing. One of them is a pilot, now living in Manila, who claimed that he did not receive a notice when the city auctioned his property.

He is very willing to pay the total amount of delinquent taxes and asked the city legislators that he be allowed to redeem his property.

The other one is Engr. Antonio Abellana, the brother of a deceased city councilor. He wished that he be allowed to redeem the “paraphernal property of his deceased brother”, but asked that the property be registered under his name.

The Local Government Code only allows the delinquent taxpayers to redeem their auctioned properties within a one-year period from the date that these were subjected to public auction.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who presided over the regular session of the council, advised the said taxpayers to coordinate with the concerned city officials, particularly with the city attorney and city treasurer.

Meanwhile, the council had asked city treasurer Renee Empaces to submit a list of properties owned by delinquent taxpayers but are not subjected to public auction. She was also asked to state the reason why such are not auctioned.

The proposed ordinance of Councilor Jose Daluz III, chairman of the committee on real property, will give the delinquent taxpayers the chance to redeem their property by installment, if it was the city that “purchased” the said property, provided that complete payment is made within the redemption period.

Daluz said that the city is not after acquisition of these properties, but for the collection of taxes.

He also said that his proposed ordinance is looking for a win-win solution by affording concerned taxpayers a convenient way to redeem their properties and, at the same time, allow the city to raise revenues.

The owner of the auctioned property shall be allowed to redeem his property through installment payments within the redemption period without interest and the installment payments shall be considered as deposits.

But in the event that the owner cannot complete payment of the full amount within the redemption period, his deposits will be returned to him without interest and the city shall proceed to register the property in its name.

Empaces said that there are so many properties in the city whose owners are not religiously paying their taxes. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV  (THE FREEMAN)