The city government of Manila on Friday, Sept. 23, said the driver’s licences of erring motorists in the city will still be confiscated under its existing ordinance amid the release of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)'s memorandum.
"Habang ginagalang ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ang mga polisiya nilalabas ng DILG patungkol sa pag-confiscate ng mga traffic enforcers ng lisensya ng mga motorista, patuloy pa rin ang pagpapatupad ng Lungsod ng Maynila ng lokal na batas trapiko nito alinsunod sa Ordinance No. 8092, Traffic Code of the City of Manila (While the City Government respects the policies issued by the DILG regarding the confiscation of motorists' licenses by traffic enforcers, the City of Manila continues to enforce its local traffic laws in accordance with Ordinance No. 8092, Traffic Code of the City of Manila)," lawyer Princess Abante, City of Manila communications head, said in a statement on Friday.
The DILG had earlier said that only the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is allowed to confiscate the driver’s licenses of erring motorists.
Abante pointed out that the City of Manila's authority to confiscate the driver's licenses of motorists who do not follow traffic laws is in accordance with the power given to local government units (LGUs) under the Local Government Code.
"Ayon sa Local Government Code, malinaw na may kapangyarihan ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na bumalangkas ng mga batas patungkol sa pagsasa ayos sa trapiko sa loob ng kanilang lungsod, kasama dito ang kapangyarihang manita, manghuli, at mag-confiscate ng lisensya (According to Local Government Code, it is clear that local governments have the power to formulate laws regarding the regulation of traffic within their respective cities, including the power to search, hunt, and confiscate licenses)," she noted.
Abante, however, said this is not contrary to the memo issued by DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos.
"Ang awtoridad ng LTO mag-confiscate ng lisensya ay ayon sa Republic Act 4136. Ayon sa Supreme Court case, MMDA vs Garin, mga ahensya ng gobyerno na hindi nabigyan ng kapangyarihan ng batas mag-confiscate ng lisensya ay kailangan kumuha ng permiso sa LTO (The authority of the LTO to confiscate licenses is according to Republic Act 4136. According to the Supreme Court case, MMDA vs Garin, government agencies that are not empowered by law to confiscate licenses must obtain permission from the LTO),” she explained.
Abante also assured that the LGUs that have their own traffic laws are not included, according to the authority given to them by the Local Government Code.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has also already contacted Abalos to clarify the issue, she said.