Case Summary (G.R. No. 185745)
error code: 502
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. 185745)
Case Citation
- G.R. No. L-28745
- Date of Decision: October 23, 1974
- Court: Supreme Court of the Philippines
Parties Involved
- Plaintiffs and Appellees: Elisa Samson and Angel Gavilan
- Defendants and Appellants: The Honorable City Mayor of Bacolod City and The Honorable City Council of Bacolod City
Background of the Case
- The case arose from a complaint filed on June 29, 1967, by the plaintiffs, who operated movie theaters in Bacolod City.
- The plaintiffs sought to nullify Bacolod City Ordinance No. 1074, which prohibited admitting two or more persons with a single admission ticket.
- They argued that the ordinance was ultra vires (beyond the powers) and violated their right to due process, as it limited their ability to manage their theaters as they deemed fit.
Lower Court Proceedings
- The initial ruling by Judge Jose F. Fernandez declared the ordinance null and void on November 22, 1967, citing a contravention of the Constitution.
- The court noted that no evidence was presented to support the ordinance's alleged unconstitutionality, relying instead on the parties' memoranda.
Key Legal Principles Discussed
- The burden of proof lies with the party challenging the validity of an ordinance, which is presumed valid until proven otherwise.
- Reliance on potential adverse effects on property rights due to police power regulations does not suffice for declaring a law unconstitutional.
- The court emphasize