• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has called on the local business community to fearlessly report any illegal transactions or under-the-table dealings involving city hall employees.
The mayor’s appeal followed a meeting with business leaders February 2, where he revealed that two regular employees of the City Treasurer’s Office are currently under investigation.
The City Legal Officer Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu said that the staff members reportedly conducted unauthorized nighttime tax collections at entertainment venues and issued unofficial receipts.
Gasataya urged businessmen not to be intimidated by fears that reporting anomalies might delay their permits or jeopardize their operations.
“The more we tolerate this, the more it will keep happening over and over again,” Gasataya said.
He added that the city will take all necessary and appropriate actions against the report as long as there is sufficient evidence and basis.*
