Guico ‘retaliates’ for prov’l neglect of his town

LINGAYEN – Some P2 million in real property tax collections has not been remitted by Binalonan town, it was learned Friday.

This developed as Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico revealed to media that he has instructed the municipal treasurer to deposit the unremitted collections in the bank instead of remitting the money to the provincial treasurer which is the proper procedure.

Guico made the move to protest what he considered as discrimination in the distribution of projects by the provincial government. He was quoted by local newsmen as blaming the latter for neglecting his town in the grant of projects while other towns get priority support.

Provincial Treasurer Ramon Crisostomo, said he had written several times the municipal treasurer of Binalonan over such unremitted collections. He said the town may now face sanctions for ignoring the demand letters.

Interestingly, Gov. Victor E. Agbayani and Guico were team mates in a previous election. The mayor lost however to incumbent Vice-Gov. Oscar Lambino.