PARTYLIST Abono said it has not dropped its plan to sue Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and members of the provincial board until it has completed its consultation with farmers.

According to Abono founding chairman Rosendo So, he also continues to meet with his lawyers to evaluate the decision of the Espino administration to amend the ordinance by requiring staggered payments based on graduated implementation of the Revised Real Property Assessment in Pangasinan for 2011 instead of the immediate full payment of the new rates annually sought by the provincial government.

He said the class suit as planned is to protest the sudden increase in unreasonable levels without the benefit of a series of public hearing and consultation.

He said the 300-800% increase stipulated in the updated schedule is unconscionable, illegal and anti-poor even if the new ordinance amended it to graduated implementation over a 3-year period and penalties for late payments have been condoned.

The move of the SP was viewed by Abono as a sign of softening up on the part of Governor Espino who earlier adopted a tough stance for a one-time implementation of the revised RPT assessment.

So was set to file a complaint against officials of the provincial government before the Provincial Prosecutors’ Office last week and was prepared to elevate it up to the Supreme Court if the latter chose to reject the complaint.

So also reportedly threatened mayors who supported the revised RPT assessment that Abono will not support them in the next election. (LM)

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