CASE 13: Calalang v. Williams (G.R. No. 47800, December 2, 1940)

Delegation of Legislative Power Doctrine

The Legislature cannot delegate its power to make laws but can delegate the authority to execute laws, which includes discretion in determining facts and circumstances for law enforcement.

Police Power of the State

The government has the inherent power to regulate behavior and enforce order for the welfare, health, and safety of the public, including traffic regulations.

Commonwealth Act No. 548

Empowers the Director of Public Works, with approval from the Secretary of Public Works and Communications, to regulate traffic and close roads to certain vehicles for public convenience and safety.

Public Welfare as a Justification for Regulation

Regulations restricting certain vehicles from roads are justified if aimed at easing traffic congestion and ensuring public safety.

Balance Between Liberty and Authority

Liberty should not be absolute; it must be balanced with state authority to prevent anarchy and ensure public order.

Due Process Clause (Article III, 1935 Constitution)

Laws and regulations that affect individual rights must be reasonable and serve the public interest, which was upheld in the Court’s decision.

Equal Protection Clause (Article III, 1935 Constitution)

A regulation is valid as long as it applies equally to all persons similarly situated; restricting animal-drawn vehicles from certain streets was deemed non-discriminatory.

Social Justice Principle (Article II, 1935 Constitution)

Social justice is the humanization of laws and the equalization of social and economic forces by the State so that justice in its rational and objectively secular conception may at least be approximated.

Salus Populi Est Suprema Lex (The Welfare of the People is the Supreme Law)

The Court emphasized that government actions prioritizing public welfare take precedence over individual business interests.

Administrative Rulemaking Authority

The authority to determine the necessity of road closures and traffic restrictions was a valid exercise of administrative discretion under legislative delegation.