Bautista v Junio

G.R. No. L-50908

January 31, 1984

Facts

As a response to the then ongoing oil crisis, LOI No. 869 was enacted. The letter of instruction forbade
the use of private motor vehicles that used both heavy and extra heavy plates on weekends and
holidays. The petition, having sought issue with the law, filed a complaint on the grounds of the LOI
being violative of due process and equal protection as per the constitution. The petitioner also assailed
similar memorandums such as Memorandum Circular No. 39, that targeted the vehicles above, imposing
their owners with fines and possible confiscation of property. The petitioner alleges that the above was
an undue delegation of legislative powers.

Issue:

WON LOI No. 869 and Memorandum Circular No. 39 are unconstitutional as per the above grounds.

Ruling:

The SC reiterates that by nature of the exercise of police power, both property and liberty are subject to
the appropriate response, if the response is to promote the general welfare. The two pieces of
legislation in question was considered to be by the court to both be appropriate and reasonable, given
the immediate apparency of the ongoing crisis.

The SC dismisses the petition, ruling in favor of the respondents.