Quezon City homeowners oppose tax to fund housing for squatters

MANILA, Philippines—An alliance of Quezon City homeowners has asked a Quezon City court to stop the city government from imposing a .5-percent tax on real estate to fund “socialized housing” projects for squatters.

In a 21-page petition, the Alliance of Quezon City Homeowners Associations, which represents 86 subdivisions, sought a temporary restraining order and injunction against the city government.

The group is questioning the newly approved Socialized Housing Tax Ordinance, which aims to enforce an additional tax on property owners to fund housing projects for the poor.

Named as respondents in the civil case were Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, members of the Quezon City Council and City Treasurer Edgar Villanueva.