CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II | CITY OF MANILA VS. LAGUIO JR. 4545 SCRA 308 (2005)
CITY OF MANILA VS. LAGUIO JR.
4545 SCRA 308 (2005)
FACTS
The Local Government of the City of Manila passed ordinance 7783 which prohibits establishments or operation of business providing certain forms of amusements, entertainment, services and facilities in the Ermita-Malate area. Prohibited establishements defined in the law includes bars, karaoke bars, motels, hotels in the red District known for harboring thrill seekers.
Malate Tourist Development Corp. which manages motels in the district contends that the ordinance is invalid; that they do not market such not use women for entertainment/amusement purposes. The City government argues that the enactment of the ordinance is to promote morality and that is a valid exercise of police power.
ISSUE
Whether or not ordinance 7783 is null and void.
RULING
YES, ordinance 7783 is null and void.
The police power granted to LGUs must always be exercised with utmost observance of the rights of the people to due process and equal protection of the law; due process requires the intrinsic validity of the law in interfering with the rights of the people to their life, liberty and property.
In the case at bar, the court held that Ordinance 7783 infringes the due process clause as it does not convene a valid exercise of police power as the prohibition of the enumerated establishments will not per se promote and protect moral and social welfare of the society. Further adds that the Local Government Code merely empowers LGUs to regulate and not to prohibit the enumerated establishments.