Back in September, Interior Secretary, Benhur Abalos, has issued a memorandum that reiterates an earlier memo with regard to the confiscation of a traffic violator’s Driver’s License (DL) by Local Government Units (LGUs).
The memo states that traffic enforcers of LGUs cannot and should not, confiscate the DL of a traffic violator and has added that only the issuing agency and its deputized officers – the Land Transportation Office (LTO) – has the right to do so.
Just recently, the Metro Manila Council (MMC), which is composed of 17 Metro Manila mayors, has agreed to stop the confiscation of DLs in their respective cities until the implementation of the Single Ticketing System.
“All 17 Metro Manila mayors agreed to suspend the confiscation of traffic violators’ driver’s licenses. Other LGUs just need to issue their respective executive orders, enact or amend existing ordinances in their localities,” said MMDA Acting Chairman, Romando Artes.
Secretary Abalos expressed his gratitude to the NCR mayors for adhering to his appeal concerning driver’s license confiscation.
“I thank the Metro Manila mayors for heeding to my appeal. I would also like to reiterate that we maintain the authority of the LTO to confiscate driver's licenses as the leading law enforcement agency in implementing traffic laws and the safety of the motoring public,” said Abalos.
For his part, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary, Atty. Jay Art Tugade, said it laid down the technical requirements for the MMDA and LGUs authorized to issue traffic violation tickets to tag and record traffic violations.
“Once the single ticketing system is finalized, the LTO will strictly implement its demerit point system to be able to properly monitor driver’s license records. A [driver's] license should only be issued to deserving and qualified drivers,” Tugade noted.
Artes added that no driver’s license shall be confiscated while the LTO is working on its interconnectivity.
Meanwhile, Artes cited that the agency, along with the LTO and 17 LGUs in Metro Manila, are still finalizing the integration of the single ticketing system. Under the system, it will be easier and convenient for traffic violators in the metropolis to settle the penalties through Bayad Centers.
“We are finalizing the guidelines for the single ticketing system which includes the establishment of traffic adjudication court per LGU, incontestability of traffic violations, among others,” Artes said.
The single ticketing system is targeted to be implemented in the Q1 of 2023.
