THE Supreme Court (SC) on Monday announced its decision dismissing a petition challenging the validity of Manila government’s ordinance raising garbage collection fees.
In its en banc resolution, the SC ruled that the motion failed to meet the basic requirements of judicial review, noting that petitioner Barry Tayam had no legal standing to file the petition.
The High Tribunal explained that to have legal standing, a petitioner must show a personal and substantial interest in the case. It added that Tayam neither resides in Manila nor operates a business or service agency in the city.
Further, it emphasized that ordinance is a regulatory measure, saying a taxpayer’s suit is allowed only when there is a claim of illegal disbursement of public funds or an unconstitutional tax measure.
It rejected the petitioner’s claim that the petition involved issues of transcendental importance as it involved factual questions, emphasizing that SC is not a trier of facts.
Likewise, the SC ruled that the petition violated hierarchy of the courts as direct resort is allowed only in exceptional cases involving purely legal issues.
Earlier this year, Manila Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso announced that the city has updated its garbage collection fees, citing rising hauling costs and increased waste volumes.
