By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A letter was recently sent from the Office of the President to former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella seeking a response to allegations that real property tax (RPT) revenue was collected despite the resolution passed by the then-mayor was deemed null and void by the Department of Justice.
According to the complainant, Samuel Montoyo, he filed on behalf of the Save Bacolod Movement, Inc. activist group calling the RPT measure “oppressive, confiscatory, and unjust,” echoing the exact sentiment in the case filed by current Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia as Bacolod Lone District representative.
He claims, after the DOJ rendered the resolution unconstitutional, deeming it null and void, Puentevella continued to collect RPT.
Montoyo labeled it a violation of Section 190 of RA 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which discusses the “Attempt to enforce void or suspended tax ordinances and revenue measures.”
The former mayor has 15 days to respond.
As of press time, Watchmen Daily Journal was unable to get reaction from Puentevella./WDJ