[ G.R. No. 40637, December 20, 1933 ]
M. P. TRANSPORTATION CO., INC., PETITIONER, VS. THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE MANILA RAILROAD CO., RESPONDENTS.
D E C I S I O N
HULL, J.:
This was denied by the commission on October 16, and the case was set for hearing on the merits on November 28, 1933.
This application was filed on October 21, 1933.
We believe that under paragraph (h), section 15, of Act No. 3108, the Legislature has laid down the rule that changes in rates under normal conditions should not take effect within thirty days. The commission is, however, given authority by order to permit the rates to take effect in a shorter period. To set aside the legislative period requires an affirmative act of the commission, and it would seem that due showing of the necessity of the order should be required before the commission acts. As, however, the thirty-day period expired before the filing of this case, the question is deemed academic.
The nature of the changes proposed is not set forth in this proceeding. The Public Service Commission was to have a hearing on the merits one week after this case was submitted to this, court. It must be assumed that the Public Service Commission, after hearing, will enter appropriate orders, will not approve of any change in rates that would be unremunerative or destructive, or would permit the Benguet Auto Line to engage in ruinous competition with petitioner through an unrestrained rate war. If any rights of petitioner are being adversely affected, it has a speedy remedy in a hearing before the Public Service Commission, and therefore must exhaust that remedy before coming to this court for relief.
The issue of a writ of certiorari is denied. Costs against petitioner. So ordered.
Malcolm, Villa-Real, Imperial, and Diaz, JJ., concur.