CRACKING DOWN ON ERRANT BUSINESSES GOOD, BUT CITY HALL NEEDS TO FOLLOW DUE PROCESS: SOME COUNCILORS

Team Rama councilors also said that Osmeña’s closure orders should not be motivated by personal grudge so as not to discourage investors from investing in the city.

As long as Cebu City Hall observes due process before issuing closure orders, some councilors in the Barug Team Rama bloc expressed no qualms about the City running after business establishments that have failed to get permits or meet their other responsibilities. Councilors Raymond Garcia and Jose Daluz III, both lawyers, said that establishments that have violated the City Tax Ordinance should be closed if their reasons for failing to comply are invalid. “If you’re not law-abiding, the City should go after you. But there should be a procedure to be followed. We need the taxes to run the city,” Garcia said.

As long as all closure orders underwent due process, some Barug Team Rama councilors expressed no qualms about the move of the Cebu City Government to run after business establishments.

Both lawyers, Councilors Raymond Garcia and Jose Daluz III said that establishments that have violated the City Tax Ordinance should be closed, especially if the reasons of the owners on their failure to comply with the City’s requirements are found to be invalid.

“If you’re not law-abiding, the City should go after you. But there should be a procedure to be fol- lowed. We need the taxes in order to run the city,” Garcia said.

Daluz, for his part, said that the City’s crackdown against violators is good, but he hopes that Mayor Tomas Osmeña will follow due process.

He said that the closure orders should not be motivated by personal grudge.

Councilor Edu Rama said that Osmeña’s vindictive approach in running after establishments may result to investors being wary in investing in the city.

He believes that such will create a strain in the city’s growing economy.

“The business environment is no longer that good because the potential investors are afraid. The trend is that Osmeña has been running after those that he have not been in good terms with, and the other closures seem to be just a front to justify his previous orders,” Rama said.

After it ordered closed two known restaurants last month, the City has issued another closure orders against three more restaurants for operating without business permits and for failing to pay their taxes. /

SUNSTAR FOTO / ARNI ACLAO SHUTDOWN. A closure order was posted by Cebu City Hall personnel on the door of Time Out Sports Bar on F. Ramos St., as Mayor Tomas Osmeña continues to run after establishments operating without business permits.