United States vs.

Silvestre Pompeya
G.R. No. 10255, JOHNSON, 1915-08-06

The police power of the state is broad and extends to the protection of the lives,
limbs, health, comfort, and quiet of all persons, as well as to the establishment of
rules and regulations for the conduct of all persons conducive to the public
interest.

Facts:
The defendant, Silvestre Pompeya, was charged with violating the municipal
ordinance of Iloilo on patrol duty.
The complaint alleged that on or about March 20, 1914, in the jurisdiction of the
municipality of Iloilo, Pompeya willfully, illegally, and criminally failed to render
service on patrol duty, in violation of the law.
Pompeya was sentenced by the justice of the peace of Iloilo to a fine of P2 and
payment of trial costs, from which he appealed to the Court of First Instance.

Issue:
Whether the municipal ordinance on patrol duty is constitutional and whether the
complaint filed against Pompeya is sufficient to constitute a cause of action.

Ruling:
The court ruled in favor of Pompeya and affirmed the decision of the lower court
to dismiss the complaint.
The court held that the municipal ordinance on patrol duty is constitutional and
falls within the police power of the state.
However, the complaint filed against Pompeya was not sufficient to show that he
was guilty of violating the law.

Ratio:
The court explained that the police power of the state includes the power to
establish rules and regulations for the conduct of all persons that are conducive to
the public interest.
The power of the state extends to the protection of lives, limbs, health, comfort,
and quiet of all persons, as well as the protection of property within the state.
The court further stated that individuals have a duty to assist in the protection of
the government and the maintenance of peace and good order in the community.
The court held that the municipal ordinance on patrol duty is a valid exercise of the
police power of the state.

The state has the authority to enact laws for the maintenance of peace and good
government, and individuals may be called upon, when necessary, to assist in
maintaining public order. The court holds that the exercise of police power in
requiring able-bodied male residents to perform patrol duty falls within the state's
authority and is constitutional, as long as the conditions and qualifications
specified in the law are met.