TITLE: ARANETA VS.

GATMAITAN
G.R. Nos. L-8895 & L-9191 DATE: April 30 1957
PONENTE: FELIX,J. TOPIC:Details for implementation
FACTS OF THE CASE:
San Miguel Bay is considered the most important fishing area in the Pacific side of the Bicol region.
Sometime in 1950, trawl 1 operators migrated to this region for the purpose of using this particular
method of fishing in said bay. On account of the belief of sustenance fisherman that the operation of this
kind of gear caused the depletion of the marine resources of that area,there arose a general clamor
among the majority of the inhabitants of coastal to prohibit the operation of trawls in San Miguel Bay.
This move was manifested in the resolution passed by the Municipal Mayor’s League condemning the
operation of trawls as the cause of wanton destruction of the shrimp specie and resolving to petition the
President of the Philippines to regulate fishing in San Miguel Bay by declaring it closed for trawl fishing
at a certain period this year. The President issued Executive Orders prohibiting the use of trawls in San
Miguel Bay. A group of Otter trawl operators took the matter to the court by filling a complaint for
injunction prayong that a writ of preliminary injuction be issued to restrain the Secretary of Agriculture
and Natural Resources and the Director of Fisheries from enforcing said executive order. During the trial
of the case, the evidence for both parties was submitted by both parties.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY:
Petitioners immediately filed an ex-parte motion for the issuance of a writ of injunction which was
opposed by the Solicitor General and after the parties had filed their respective memoranda, the Court
issued an order denying respondent’s motion to set asude judgement and ordering them to file a bond
in the sum of 30,000 as a condition for the non-issuance of the injunction prayed for by petitioner
pending appeal. Respondents contended that the order of respndent Judge requiring petitioners
Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Director of Fisheries to post a bond because by
requiring the bond, the Republic of the Philippines was in effect made a party defendant and therefore
transformed the suit into one against the Government which is beyong the jurisdiction of the respondent
Judge to entertain
STATEMENT OF ISSUE/S:
Whether or not the exercise of such authority by the President constitute an undue delegation of the
Powers of Congress
HOLDING: NO
The Fisheries Act is complete in itself leaving to the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources the
promulgation of rules and regulations to carry into effect the legislative intent. It is clear to the mind that
for the protection of fry or fish eggs and small and immature fishes, Congress intended with the
promulgation of Act No. 4003 to prohibit the use of ny fish net or fishing device like trawl nets that could
endanger and deplete our supply of sea food, and to that end authorized the Secretary of Agriculture
and Natural Resources to provide by regulations such restrictions as deemed necessary in order to
preserve the aquatic resources of the land. The president in response to the clamor of the people and
authorities issued an Executive Order, he did nothing but to show an anxious regard for the welfare of
the inhabitants of said coastal province and dispose of issues of general concern which were in
consonance and strict conformity with the law.
notes, if any: