Bicol Saro Partylist Representative Terry Ridon will file a resolution next week seeking clarification on the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) order suspending the confiscation of driver’s licenses for traffic violators.
At a news forum in Quezon City, Ridon said Congress will review “technical issues” that need to be reconciled in implementing the policy, which the DOTr directed its agency, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), to enforce.
The lawmaker expressed concern that suspending license confiscation might give motorists a “trade pass” since there would be “no way for enforcers to determine if a certain driver is ‘on alert.’”
On Friday, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez issued a memorandum suspending the confiscation of driver’s licenses and amending the lead time for settling traffic apprehension cases from 15 calendar days to 15 working days “to afford both the government and the public sufficient time to resolve cases.”
Ridon said his resolution would also seek clarification on the change in lead time, noting that the Traffic Code prescribes “calendar days.”
Lopez said the policy amendment aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to streamline procedures for apprehending drivers whose licenses have been confiscated.
The LTO was also ordered to strictly enforce automatic suspension or revocation of licenses if the driver fails to settle the case within 15 working days. The memorandum takes effect immediately.