Title
Tobias vs. Abalos
Case
G.R. No. 114783
Decision Date
Dec 8, 1994
Residents challenged R.A. 7675, converting Mandaluyong into a city and creating a new legislative district, alleging constitutional violations. SC upheld the law, ruling it valid and dismissing claims of gerrymandering and procedural flaws.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 114783)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

  • Parties and Context
    • Petitioners (Robert V. Tobias et al.) are residents and taxpayers of Mandaluyong challenging the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 7675.
    • Respondents are the City Mayor, City Treasurer, and Sangguniang Panlungsod of Mandaluyong.
  • Enactment of R.A. No. 7675 and Plebiscite
    • R.A. No. 7675, entitled “An Act Converting the Municipality of Mandaluyong into a Highly Urbanized City,” was sponsored by Representative Ronaldo Zamora and signed into law on February 9, 1994.
    • Article VIII, Section 49 of R.A. No. 7675 provides that Mandaluyong shall have its own legislative district, and that the remainder of the former San Juan/Mandaluyong district becomes the legislative district of San Juan.
    • Pursuant to the Local Government Code, a plebiscite was held on April 10, 1994, with a 14.41% turnout; 18,621 voted “yes” and 7,911 voted “no,” ratifying the city conversion.

Issues:

  • Whether Section 49 of R.A. No. 7675 violates the “one subject–one bill” rule under Article VI, Section 26(1) of the Constitution by embracing the separate subject of dividing the legislative district.
  • Whether Section 49 contravenes Article VI, Section 5(1)’s limit on House membership and Section 5(4)’s reapportionment requirement based on census data.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Doctrine:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Analyze Cases Smarter, Faster
Jur helps you analyze cases smarter to comprehend faster—building context before diving into full texts.