Playing with fire?

Ben Contreras

IS our city treasurer playing with fire? Is the Ajinomoto case not enough for him to be more prudent in his actions? Or is he being dictated, and by whom?

The revised Tax Code was a product of business indignation. The City Council saw the need to address the gripes and complaints of the business sector regarding excessive business taxes. It came to the rescue. The Moreno administration sought relief from our court. The court ruled in favor of the revised Tax Code and for the second time, ruled with finality.

Today, the business sector is shocked to find their business permit renewals peppered with exorbitant and illegal assessments. One of which is the environmental fee that could lead to another legal battle.

The chambers of commerce have sought the legal service of a tax expert in Manila. The second letter addressed to treasurer Glenn Bañez has not been answered despite the mandated limited number of days with which a government official should reply.

Why is Bañez taking such a risk? Is this a political gimmick on the part of the mayor?

Except for a few, I am almost certain that the business sector will no longer support Moreno. And if this act of collecting huge amounts is another ploy to harass the businessmen or blackmail them into supporting the mayor, then they’re playing with fire.

One businessman who happened to fly with the mayor talked of these problems, and the mayor allegedly played innocent. Is the mayor telling us that he knows nothing of what Bañez is doing? Well, that’s a lot of b@#$!

Moreno claimed that he knew nothing about the Ajinomoto deal, and vacillated when documents started surfacing. This deal nearly resulted in his untimely removal from office, and  disqualification from ever holding any public office.

Moreno’s initial victory in our court must have given him the notion that there is always a way to kill a cat. But even luck has limits. The next time around, it might be politically fatal.

One contention is that the imposition of the Environmental Fee is illegal because it no longer exists under the revised Tax Code.

One claimed that a businessman was assessed with a certain amount of Environmental Fee. But when Bañez came to know the owner, he allegedly said, “Ikaw pala.” The EF was allegedly reduced to almost 10 percent of the original amount. What gives? I guess the businessman must be a political ally. That’s better than another Ajinomoto.

In the past, it was difficult to seek audience with the mayor especially when the matter was about tax. Today, there is this talk about a meeting with some businessmen. Would there be horse trading? Would that result in a better deal or would it divide the business sector? What is good for one should be good for everybody. That is what the chambers are for.

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Gee! This story about the “Like” button that could cost government workers their jobs is a big joke. Yes, there is an existing law about it. But this has been violated right at the very noses of everyone.

I bet our lawmakers made it but with a loophole to go around the said law. How else can any of them violate the law wantonly?

All it takes is one brave soul to file a case against supposed erring government officials. But even then, there are courts where one can seek remedy by hook or by any means.