Case Summary (G.R. No. L-19558)
Factual Background
The case revolves around the petitioner, La Mallorca and Pampanga Bus Company, Inc., which faced a challenge concerning the loss of specific exhibits during the proceedings before the Public Service Commission. These exhibits, identified as Exhibits D, D-1, D-1-a, D-1-b, D-1-c, and D-1-d, contained observation reports concerning motor vehicles for hire operating along the Guagua-San Fernando line. The petitioner argues for the setting aside of the decision from the Public Service Commission and seeks a remand for a new trial due to the impossibility of reconstituting the lost evidence.
Nature of the Evidence
The lost exhibits were critical as they aimed to rebut the evidence presented by the respondent, Cirilo D. Mendiola. The reports documented various operational aspects of jitneys and buses on the designated route, including vehicle plate numbers, passenger loads, and the travel directions observed by the witness, Pineda. This information was essential in supporting the petitioner's position against the respondent's claims.
Commission's Decision
Despite the lost exhibits, the Public Service Commission established certain facts, including the operation of ten jitneys and six buses on the aforementioned line, the presence of daily commuters, and the inadequacy of the existing number of vehicles to meet passenger demand. The Commission concluded that the appellant was financially capable of operating the proposed service. These determinations formed the basis of its decision, which the petitioner sought to challenge.
Judicial Reasoning
The Supreme Court emphasized that it is not within its authority to re-evaluate the conflicting evidence put forth during the Public Service Commission's deliberations. Instead, the court's role is limited to verifying whether there exists substantial evidence to support the Commission's conclusions. The absence of the specific evidence that was lost did not negate the validity of the remaining evidence considered by the Commission, particularly si
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. L-19558)
Case Overview
- The case involves La Mallorca and Pampanga Bus Company, Inc. as the petitioner and Cirilo D. Mendiola as the respondent.
- The decision was rendered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines on November 29, 1963, under G.R. No. L-19558.
- The primary issue revolves around the loss of certain exhibits submitted to the Public Service Commission and the petitioner's request for the decision to be set aside and for a new trial.
Background of the Case
- The petitioner sought to present evidence in the form of Exhibits D, D-1, D-1-a, D-1-b, D-1-c, and D-1-d, which were observation reports related to motor vehicles operating on the Guagua-San Fernando line.
- These exhibits detailed the plate numbers, passenger loads, and directions taken by the vehicles, as observed by the petitioner's witness, Pineda.
- The loss of these exhibits occurred while they were in the custody of the Public Service Commission, making reconstitution impossible.
Motion to Set Aside Decision
- The petitioner filed a motion to set aside the decision under appeal due to