Facts:

• Isidoro Espiritusanto was the defendant, and the United States was the plaintiff.
• The case originated on November 16, 1910, in Malabon, Rizal, where Espiritusanto was caught collecting wagers for the gambling game jueteng.
• Local authorities confiscated tickets used for the game from him.
• The justice of the peace court imposed a fine of P50 and subsidiary imprisonment if he could not pay.
• Espiritusanto appealed this judgment.
• On June 24, 1911, the provincial fiscal of Rizal filed an information in the Court of First Instance, charging him with violating municipal ordinance No. 1, series of 1910, which banned jueteng.
• The ordinance, enacted by the Malabon municipal council, specified penalties for gambling activities.
• On September 25, 1911, the Court of First Instance upheld the lower court's judgment.
• Espiritusanto appealed again, claiming the ordinance was unconstitutional and that the court lacked jurisdiction.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the Court of First Instance.
• The court ruled that the municipal ordinance was constitutional and that the municipal council acted within its authority.
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Ratio:

• The court stated that the municipal council of Malabon had the authority to regulate gambling under the Municipal Code, specifically section 39.
• The ordinance aligned with Act No. 1757, which prohibits games of chance, including jueteng.
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