Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 1779)
The main purpose of Act No. 1779 is to create a Board of Rate Regulation to supervise, fix, revise, regulate, reduce or increase the rates charged by public-service corporations in the Philippine Islands to ensure just and reasonable rates for the public and corporations.
The Board is composed of the Governor-General as chairman, the Secretary of Commerce and Police, and one other member appointed by the Governor-General with the advice and consent of the Philippine Commission.
The Board can fix, revise, regulate, reduce, or increase rates; investigate compliance with laws; demand reports and information; examine witnesses under oath; issue subpoenas; and order testimony by deposition.
They must provide full and complete reports, under oath if required, and furnish any information necessary for the Board to perform its duties. Failure to comply results in daily forfeitures to the government.
They may be fined not less than two hundred pesos or more than ten thousand pesos, imprisoned for up to one year, or both, upon conviction by a competent court.
Yes, no witness shall be prosecuted or penalized for matters testified about before the Board or court, except for perjury committed during testimony. The immunity applies only to natural persons obeying subpoenas and testifying under oath.
After full hearing, the Board determines the just and reasonable rates and regulations, issues written orders requiring compliance, and may order the public-service corporation to cease unlawful practices and refund overcharges.
They face forfeitures from two thousand to ten thousand pesos per offense, with each day of continuing violation considered a separate offense. Officers or agents involved may be fined or imprisoned.
It includes persons or entities owning or operating railroads, street-railways, steamboats, telegraph or telephone lines, gas, electric-light, power, water-supply systems, and others rendering public service or using streets in a way not permitted to the general public, excluding municipal corporations and public institutions owned by the government.