Looting next problem after Las Piñas market fire

A TWO-HOUR fire struck a public market in Las Piñas City late Friday night, but it was the threat of looting that kept authorities on their toes long after the flames were put out. At least two minors from neighboring Parañaque City were arrested and briefly detained by police on suspicions that they were after the goods and fixtures spared by the fire, which started around 10:45 p.m. at the middle of the market on Saging Street, Barangay CAA. It remained off-limits as of Saturday afternoon as police had difficulty telling legitimate merchants who want to check their stalls from mere kibitzers or possible looters. Las Piñas police chief Senior Supt. Adolfo Samala said “we are trying to prevent people from entering the site to salvage materials also because it’s not safe. The roof over the stalls might cave in. There may also be live wires. But if they (stall owners) will file a complaint, we will look into it.” Fire Officer Joel Pascua said the fire apparently started at the vegetables section when the market was already closed for the day. No one was reported hurt and damage was placed at around P1 million. THE SUPREME Court denied with finality an appeal from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) which sought the reversal of a decision that awarded property developer Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. (FBDC) nearly P360 million as refund for erroneous tax collection.

Voting 10-4, the justices meeting en banc affirmed their Sept. 4, 2012, ruling that found the BIR liable to FBDC to the tune of P359,652,009.47, which was erroneously paid by the company as output value added tax for the first quarter of 1997.

The 2012 decision gave the BIR the option to refund the amount or issue a tax credit certificate in favor of FBDC.