SC sides with residents opposed to tax raise

The Supreme Court has temporarily prevented the Parañaque City government from implementing a recently passed ordinance that some residents fear would result in the imposition of a higher real property tax rate.

In a two-page notice issued by the clerk of court, the high tribunal granted the petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) filed by members of several homeowners’ associations in the city who questioned the propriety of the approval of Ordinance 11-11.

“The Court further resolves to issue a (TRO) enjoining the implementation of said Ordinance No. 11-11… of the Sangguniang Panlungsod… effective immediately and continuing until further orders from the Court,” a portion of the notice read.

It also ordered Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr., city assessor Soledad Samonte and Councilor Jason Webb, chairman of the city council’s ways and means committee, to submit their respective comment within 10 days.

Residents of gated subdivisions such as BF Parañaque, Better Living Switzerland, and 4th Estate went to the High Court after the city council passed the ordinance on October 13.

In a petition for certiorari, mandamus and prohibition, the residents asked the tribunal to declare the new tax measure, which prescribed the schedule of values for land, building and improvements in the city, as null and void.

The city government previously announced that the enactment of the ordinance was in compliance with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-01 of the departments of finance and local government.