The Supreme Court (SC) has reversed a Court of Appeals (CA) ruling and declared as unconstitutional a Manila City ordinance that bans short-time admissions in hotels, motels, and inns in the city of Manila.

In a 32-page resolution penned by SC Associate Justice Dante Tinga, the SC ruled that motel owners had the right to offer short-time admissions and that the personal rights of their clients should be respected.

In reversing the CA ruling, the SC reinstated a decision of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) which had earlier found Manila City Ordinance 7774 to be unconstitutional.

The city ordinance was passed during the first term of Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim who sought to change the "sin city" image of Manila.

SC spokesman Midas Marquez said the high court believes that the city ordinance violates private property and personal rights.

"Yung sinasabi na motels ay ginagamit for illicit sex, prostitution, adultery ay di naman talaga napatunayan...the Court is saying private individuals have personal rights, and they cannot be be arbitrarily invaded," Marquez said.

A group of motel organizations opposed the city ordinance and got a favorable ruling from the Manila RTC. But the RTC ruling was reversed on appeal at the CA, which ruled that the city ordinance was legal.

Marquez said the SC en banc ruling was unanimous. -- report from MARIETON PACHECO, ABS-CBN News