Manila Electric Company vs Pasay Transportation Company Case Digest
The Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands represents one of the three divisions of power in our government. It is judicial power and judicial power only which is exercised by the Supreme Court. Just as the Supreme Court, as the guardian of constitutional rights, should not sanction usurpations by any other department of the government, so should it as strictly confine its own sphere of influence to the powers expressly or by implication conferred on it by the Organic Act. The Supreme Court and its members should not and cannot be required to exercise any power or to perform any trust or to assume any duty not pertaining to or connected with the administering of judicial functions.
Facts
Act No 1446 was passed. Section II of the Act provides: “Whenever any franchise or right of way is granted to any other person or corporation, now or hereafter in existence over portions of the link and tracks of the grantee therein, the terms of which said other person or corporation shall use such right of way, and the compensation to be paid to the grantee herein by such other person or corporation for said use, shall be fixed by the members of the Supreme Court, sitting as a board of arbitrators, the decisions of a majority of whom shall be final.
Issue
Whether the members of the Supreme Court sit as arbitrators and fix the terms and compensation as is asked of them in this case?
Ruling
The Supreme Court and its members should not and cannot be required to exercise any power or to perform any trust or to assume any duty not pertaining to or connected with the administering of judicial functions.
Manila Electric Company vs Pasay Transportation Company Case Digest
