Practice question
To address traffic injuries, a city requires only vendors with surnames beginning with one letter to close their lawful shops permanently. It admits that the selected vendors have no greater connection to accidents than other merchants and that ordinary traffic enforcement can address the documented hazards. The city invokes public safety. Which assessment is best?
- The public-safety label conclusively validates any selection.
- A surname classification is necessarily connected to traffic safety.
- Permanent closure is valid because all regulation may prohibit lawful trades arbitrarily.
- The measure is vulnerable as arbitrary, discriminatory and unduly oppressive despite the legitimate safety objective.
- The only issue is whether the vendors can change their surnames.
Legal references
- White Light Corporation v. City of Manila, G.R. No. 122846, January 20, 2009, main decision: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/48715
- City of Manila v. Laguio, Jr., G.R. No. 118127, April 12, 2005, main decision: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2005/apr2005/gr_118127_2005.html
- 1987 Constitution: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/3/353 Article III, Section 1.
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