Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
G.R. No. L-38502 August 17, 1933
FRANCISCO JAVIER, applicant-appellee,
vs.
THE BACHRACH MOTOR COMPANY, INC., intervenor-appellant.
Guillermo B. Guevara for appellant.
C. de G. Alvear and Gibbs and McDonough for appellee.
HULL, J.:
On the 24th day of August, 1932, the Public Service Commission of the Philippine Islands granted a certificate of public convenience for the operation of a taxicab service within the City of Manila and surrounding territory. In connection with the application for this certificate, Javier stated that he desired to use midget motor propelled vehicles and expected to use Austin cars.
On August 18, 1932, the Bachrach Motor Company, Inc., filed a complaint in the Court of First Instance of Manila for the sum of P2,000 to be paid by Francisco Javier, and in connection with that suit, a writ of attachment was issued. Pursuant to the instruction of the Bachrach Motor Company, Inc., the sheriff of Manila garnished the interests of Javier in the certificate above-mentioned. Subsequently, Javier filed a motion with the Public Service Commission praying that he be allowed to substitute Bantam Fords in lieu of Austin cars, which application was granted by the Public Service Commission ex-parte and without hearing.
A week later the Bachrach Motor Company, Inc., filed a motion as intervenor asking for the reconsideration of the last order of the Public Service Commission on the ground that in view of the attachment, the Public Service Commission could not legally issue the order authorizing the substitution of one type of car for another.
This motion was denied, and the Bachrach Motor Company, Inc., appeals to this court arguing that under section 16 of Act No. 3108, holders of certificates of public convenience may with the approval of the Public Service Commission alienate or encumber their property and franchises, that therefore such properties are subject to attachment, and when attached, the Public Service Commission cannot revoke or change in form or substance these certificates. The Public Service Commission in its decision denying appellant's motion held that the modification granted to appellee was one in form and not in substance, and in this we concur. No authority is cited to sustain the doctrine that attachment per se paralyzes the functions of the commission over public utilities, and such doctrine being obviously against public interests, the contention of appellant cannot be seriously entertained.
Having reached this conclusion, it is unnecessary to discuss any of the other questions raised by the briefs.
The orders appealed from are affirmed, with costs against the appellant. So ordered.
Avanceņa, C.J., Malcolm, Villa-Real, and Imperial, JJ., concur.
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