The Supreme Court (SC) has banned the display of its official seal in vehicle license plates, car stickers and similar items or “any indication of connection with the Judiciary” without its approval.
In resolution, the SC said the ban “also covers courtesy and security plates of former officials no longer connected with the Court.”
It said that violators will face indirect contempt of court and will be prosecuted criminally and/or administratively.
In the same resolution issued last July 5, the SC ordered the revocation of previously-issued authorizations for the display of its official seal. It said it will issue new authorizations which will require license plates to have clearly visible tamperproof registration numbers, and any fading or illegibility will result in the automatic invalidation of such license plates.
The SC directed Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva to issue a circular for lower courts.
In 2021, the SC also banned the production, sale, or distribution of any items or merchandise bearing its seal, or similar items of merchandise indicating any connection with the Judiciary without its permission.
The prohibition was issued following reports that various entities were found selling and using merchandise bearing the SC’s official seal for unscrupulous purposes.