No Legal Basis for LGU License Confiscation, LTO Clarifies

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has declared that there are no existing laws that allow traffic enforcers from local government units (LGUs) to confiscate drivers' licenses. According to the agency, local enforcers are only authorized to issue citation tickets to traffic violators. The clarification came after the LGU of Bacoor, Cavite, posted on social media that its traffic enforcers are authorized to confiscate drivers' licenses from violators within the city under a local ordinance. The LGU's statement read, “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.” However, the LTO countered this, stating that existing Supreme Court jurisprudence does not grant traffic enforcement officers the general authority to confiscate motorists' licenses. It also clarified that it is currently implementing Department of Transportation Memorandum Circular No. 001-2026, which provides for a "no-confiscation" policy on drivers' licenses during apprehensions. “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,” LTO’s statement read. (In compliance with the order, LTO-deputized law enforcement officers are temporarily refraining from confiscating the driver’s licenses of motorists violating traffic laws.) Under the guidelines, instead of confiscation, traffic violations are digitally recorded, and motorists are given 15 days to settle fines before facing license suspension. The LTO urged LGUs, traffic enforcement agencies, and motorists to comply with existing laws and regulations to ensure the fair implementation of traffic laws across the country. This situation highlights potential confusion in traffic management across the Philippines and a possible conflict between the powers of local government units and national regulations. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and frequent travelers may face uncertainty due to such inconsistent application of traffic laws.