### Facts:
The case involves Gregorio Pedro, who appealed a decision dismissing his action for the annulment of a local ordinance regarding the operation of a cockpit in Caloocan, Rizal. Pedro acquired rights to the Galas Cockpit from “La Sociedad Bighani” in 1928 and sought approval to operate it. Earlier, an ordinance (No. 15, series of 1926) had restricted the proximity of cockpits to schools and hospitals, which was subsequently amended (No. 35, series of 1928) to favor Pedro’s operation. However, due to allegations of bribery, the approval was suspended by a Provincial Board resolution, followed by an interim council’s ordinance (No. 36, series of 1928) further suspending the operation pending investigation. The Provincial Board of Rizal eventually disapproved of ordinance No. 35, leading to the legal conflict.
### Issues:
1. The validity of Ordinance No. 36, series of 1928, approved by temporary councilors.
2. Whether Gregorio Pedro’s rights to operate the Galas Cockpit were unconstitutionally infringed upon by subsequent ordinances.
3. The impact of the cockpit’s operation on nearby consumptive patients at the Santol Sanatorium.
### Court’s Decision:
1. **Issue 1:** The Court found Ordinance No. 36 valid, emphasizing that a license to operate a cockpit does not establish irrevocable rights and can be amended or revoked by subsequent ordinances for the public interest.
2. **Issue 2:** The Court held that Pedro had no acquired right that was infringed upon. Licenses for operating a cockpit are considered a privilege, not a property right, and such privileges can be revoked or modified to protect public interests.
3. **Issue 3:** The Court did not rule directly on the health impact issue, implicitly supporting the argument that the cockpit’s operation was detrimental to the nearby sanatorium patients. It upheld the decision to amend and revoke the license based on public health and safety considerations.
### Doctrine:
– A license to operate a business like a cockpit is a privilege, not a property right, subject to revocation or amendment for public welfare.
– Municipal councils may delegate informational tasks to special committees, especially when technical expertise is needed, without infringing upon legislative prerogatives.
### Class Notes:
– **Licenses and Public Interest:** Licenses such as those for operating a business are privileges that can be regulated, amended, or revoked by the government to serve public interests.
– **Municipal Authority:** Local government units, through their legislative bodies, possess the authority to enact ordinances that regulate businesses within their jurisdiction, provided these regulations adhere to the principles of public welfare and do not contravene any higher laws.
– **Delegation of Duties:** Municipal councils may delegate non-legislative, informational tasks to committees; this is especially pertinent when the issue requires specific technical knowledge.
### Historical Background:
The case exemplifies early 20th-century legal battles over local governance and regulatory powers in the Philippines. It highlights the growing pains in the municipal administration, including the control and regulation of local enterprises, integrity of local officials, and consideration for public health and safety, within the procedural backdrop of the American colonial period’s legal system. This period saw the development of municipal autonomy under the guidance of national laws and the increasing involvement of the judiciary in resolving administrative disputes.
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