How powerful is the city in enforcing traffic rules?

The Supreme Court (SC) decided in favor of Cebu City and upheld the LGU's powers to enforce traffic rules and regulations, even if it results in inconvenience and less freedom of movement among citizens.

- Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez

This is based on the inherent police power of the State delegated to the local government unit.This is was in the landmark case of Atty. Valentino Legaspi v. Cebu City consolidated with another case Bienvenido Jaban v. CA, both promulgated on December 10, 2013. The decision was penned by Justice Lucas Bersamin, later chief justice and executive secretary.

He said: "The goal of the decentralization of powers in the LGUs is to ensure the enjoyment by each of the territorial and political subdivisions of the State of a genuine and meaningful local autonomy. To attain the goal, the National Legislature has devolved the three great inherent powers of the State to the LGUs. Each political subdivision is thereby vested with such powers, subject to constitutional and statutory limitations."

By the first paragraph of the decision alone, the city won over challenges interposed by citizens affected by the enforcement of traffic rules. This case started when the City Council, with Vice Mayor Renato Osmeña as presiding officer passed on January 27, 1997, Ordinance 1664, amending Ordinance 801, the Cebu City Traffic Code. It was approved by then Mayor Alvin Garcia, and implemented by CITOM chairman Alan Gaviola.