Former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella held a press conference yesterday, where it was revealed a request for a temporary restraining order was filed earlier this week before the Bacolod City Regional Trial Court against the recently-passed City Ordinance No. 827, which updates the market value of real properties in the city in relation to real property tax (RPT).

According to the former mayor, the policy is “unconstitutional,” citing Section 28 (1), Article VI of the Constitution, which states “the rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable;” and Section 198 of RA 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which states, “Real property shall be assessed on the basis of a uniform classification within each local government unit.”

Puentevella said he was urged to file the restraining order request after reportedly receiving complaints from city residents regarding RPT increases.

He added, the policy is “untimely” with the recent implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which the former mayor said is impacting “the masses” financially.

Puentevella believes the ordinance needs to be reviewed, noting differences in how communities are being assessed. He pointed out the RPT for one community increased from P2,500 per square meter to P8,000, a 400 percent increase; however, a different community saw increases from P2,500 per square meter to P3,500.

“That is not treating our people with equality,” he surmised.

Shortly after returning to the Bacolod City Government Center in 2016, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia called on the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to repeal the RPT Code implemented during the Puentevella administration, which the Department of Justice (DOJ) had earlier declared “null and void” after the city failed to comply with prescribed procedures on the enactment of new ordinances under the Local Government Code.

As congressman, Leonardia also filed a petition to declare the ordinance “unconstitutional.”

Puentevella argued, his plan, while it did raise RPT rates, city residents were treated with uniformity.

The vote to repeal the Puentevella RPT Code was later called into question by Bacolod City Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr., who claimed the Grupo Progreso-led SP did not follow internal procedures and lacked the necessary public hearings.

Majority floor leader Councilor Caesar Distrito responded by saying the SP has the power to suspend rules./DGB, WDJ