88 SCRA 195

G.R. No. L-49112 February 2, 1979

Leovillo C. Agustin, petitioner,

Vs.

HON. ROMEO F. EDU, in his capacity as Land Transportation Commissioner; HON. JUAN PONCE
ENRILE, in his capacity as Minister of National Defense; HON. ALFREDO L. JUINIO, in his capacity
as Minister Of Public Works, Transportation and Communications; and HON: BALTAZAR AQUINO,
in his capacity as Minister of Public Highways, respondents.

FACTS: On December 2, 1974, President Marcos issued Letter of Instruction No. 229 (amended
by Letter of Instructions No. 479) which requires all owners, users or drivers of motor vehicles to
have at all times in their motor vehicles at least one pair of early warning device. This is in
accordance with the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals and the United Nations
Organization, wherein the Philippines is a signatory of.

Petitioner Agustin, owner of a Volkswagen Beetle Car, Model 13035, equipped with blinking
lights fore and aft, which he claims could very well serve as an early warning device, alleged that
said Letter of Instruction No. 229 as amended are clearly oppressive, unreasonable, arbitrary
unconscionable to the motoring publicone-sided, onerous, and patently illegal and immoral

ISSUE: Whether or not the ratification of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals
which inspired Letter of Instruction No. 229, is valid.

HELD: Yes, it is apparent in section 2 of Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, that The
Philippinesadopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of
the land. The 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, which was signed by the
Philippines, and ratified by PD No. 207, is considered as part of the law of the land by virtue of
this Declaration of Principle under the Philippine Constitution. Considering this view, the court
concluded to dismiss the petition; stating in its decision It is not for this country to repudiate a
commitment to which it had pledged its word.