LUTZ VS. ARANETA G.R. No.

L-7859 December 22, 1955

TAXATION
FACTS:
Plaintiff Walter Lutz, in his capacity as judicial administrator of the intestate estate of
Antionio Ledesma, sought to recover from the CIR the sum of P14,666.40 paid by the
estate as taxes, under section 3 of the CA567 or the Sugar Adjustment Act thereby
assailing its constitutionality, for it provided for an increase of the existing tax on the
manufacture of sugar, alleging that such enactment is not being levied for a public
purpose but solely and exclusively for the aid and support of the sugar industry thus
maki ng i t voi d and unconsti tut i onal . The sugar i ndust ry si tuat i on at the
time of the enactment was in an imminent threat of loss and needed to be stabilized by
imposition of emergency measures.
ISSUE:
Is CA 567 constitutional, despite its being allegedly violative of the equal protection
clause, the purpose of which is not for the benefit of the general public but for the
rehabilitation only of the sugar industry?
HELD:
Yes. The protection and promotion of the sugar industry is a matter of publ i c
concern, i t f ol l ows that the Legi sl ature may determi ne wi thi n reasonable
bounds what is necessary for its protection and expedient for its promotion. Here,
the legislative discretion must be allowed to fully play, subject only to the test of
reasonableness; and it is not contended that the means provided in the law bear
no relation to the objective pursued or are oppressive in character. If objective and
methods are alike constitutionally valid, no reason is seen why the state may not levy
taxes to raise funds for their prosecution and attainment. Taxation may be made the
implement of the state's police power