Maximo Calalang vs A.D.

Williams
NO. 47800
December 2, 1940
Laurel, J.

CASE: Maximo Calalang as a private citizen and tax payer of Manila filed a petition for write of prohitbition
against A.D. Williams, Chairman of the National Traffic Commission; Vicente Fragante Director of Public
Works and Cmmunications

FACTS:
On July 17, 1940, National Traffic Commission (NTC) resolved to recommend to the Director of the
Public Works and to the Secretary of Public Works and Communications that animal-drawn vehicles
be prohibited from passing along the ff:
o Rosario St from Plaza Calderon de la Barca To Dasmarinas street
o Rizal Ave from the railroad crossing at Antipolo Street to Echague Street
o this was only for a period of one year from the date of opening of the colgante Bridge
On July 18, 1940, NTC recommended to the Director of Public Works and Secretary of Public Works
and Communication to promulgate rules and regulations and the control the use of and traffic of
national roads pursuant to the Commonwealth Act No. 548
On August 1940, the Diretor recommended to the secretary the approval of the recommendations
made by the Chairman of NTC with modifcations:
o Animal-drawn vehicles be limited to portions extending from the railroad crossing at
Antipolo St to Azcarraga St.
On August 10, 1940, the said recommendation was approved.
o Eulogio Rodriguez, Manila City Mayor, and Juan Dominguez, Acting Chief of Police Manila,
have enforced the rules and regulation.
o All animal-drawn vehicles are prohibited from passing and picking up passengers in the said
streets for the safety of their owners and the riding public as well.

ISSUES:
Whether or not the promulgated rules and regulations pursuant to th e provisions of Commonwealth Act
No. 548 constitute interference with legitimate business or trade and rigt to personal liberty and freedom
of locomition?

HELD:
No.
The rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Commonweath Act No. 548 aims to promote safe
transit and avoid obstructions on nationals roads in consideration of public convience and welfare. In
order for the state to promote general welfare, it may interfere with personal liberty, with property and
with business and occupation.

Liberty is a blessing without which life is a misery, but libery should not be made to prevail over authority

Social Justice means the promotion of public welfare of all people. It is neither communism, nor
depotism, nor atomisn, nor anarchy but humanization of laws and the equalization of social and
economic forces by the State so that justice in its rational and objectivitley secular conception may at
least be approximated.

Salus populi est suprema lex the welfare of the people shall be the supreme law.