LTO Stresses LGUs Lack Legal Basis for Driver's License Confiscation

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has clarified to the public that local government units (LGUs) currently have no legal basis to confiscate the driver's licenses of traffic violators. The agency stated in a statement on its official Facebook page that it is implementing Department of Transportation (DOTr) Memorandum Circular No. 001-2026, which sets the policy regarding the non-confiscation of driver's licenses during apprehension. "Bilang pagsunod sa kautusan, pansamantalang hindi kinukumpiska ng mga law enforcement officers na may deputasyon mula sa LTO ang driver's license ng mga motoristang lumalabag sa batas-trapiko," the LTO added. The LTO further explained that existing Supreme Court jurisprudence does not grant traffic enforcement officers the general authority to confiscate motorists' driver's licenses. This clarification comes after the City of Bacoor in Cavite issued a statement on social media regarding its traffic enforcement. On Wednesday, the City Government of Bacoor announced, "The City Government of Bacoor reminds the public that, pursuant to City Ordinance No. 11-2019, Section 23 of the Revised Traffic Code, our traffic enforcers are duly authorized to confiscate driver’s licenses of motorists who violate traffic laws within the city." The Bacoor LGU asserted that "the recent Supreme Court ruling applies only to Metro Manila LGUs under the MMDA. Bacoor, being outside Metro Manila, continues to exercise its authority under the Local Government Code and its duly enacted ordinances." To this, the LTO countered: "Existing administrative issuances from the (Department of Transportation) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government—including Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2008, issued by the former DOTC and DILG—acknowledge that traffic enforcers from local government units (LGUs) may issue citation tickets but lack the legal basis to confiscate motorists' driver's licenses." The LTO added it is urging all LGUs, traffic enforcement agencies, and motorists to comply with existing laws and regulations to ensure the fair, orderly, and just enforcement of traffic laws nationwide. —RF, GMA News