Fixing red tape shouldn’t come after the fact
Long lines, even longer waiting times, and convoluted processes make up the typical Filipino experience when securing basic services from government agencies and offices.
Because of red tape, applying for documents and IDs, and paying fines is a widely accepted hassle, pushing Filipinos to turn to fixers as if they were doing them an added service.
While there is existing, tangible pushback against red tape, particularly through Republic Act 9485 (Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007) and Republic Act 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018), recent testimonies prove that untangling it isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Caught in red tape
James Deakin, a host and automotive content creator, recently went viral after he shared his family’s experience with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
According to Deakin, his son was pulled over for an improper lane change violation on Skyway Stage 3. While he told him to “Take the ticket. Go through the process and deal with the consequences properly,” over the phone, he was surprised after finding out that the officer classified it as “reckless driving” on top of the “improper lane change” and “disobeying traffic signs” violations.
“Reckless driving isn’t just a heavier fine—it can also be a criminal offense under Philippine law that goes on permanent record. It requires ‘willful or wanton disregard for safety.’ A new driver making an improper lane change at a very low speed doesn’t meet that standard,” shared Deakin on a Facebook post.
The bigger issue, however, came after the fact. With a deadline of 15 days to settle the violation, Deakin wasn’t asked only to pay the P2,000 fine, but also provide the car’s official receipt (OR) and certificate of registration (CR), despite the office already having access to the car’s plate number, make, model, and registered owner. Not to mention, the LTO was also closed for eight of the 15 days they were given. In the end, they went past the 15-day deadline because of the additional requirement, and his son’s license was automatically suspended for a month.
“The government gives you 15 days. Then closes for more than half of them. Demands documents that have nothing to do with the violation. Won’t accept digital copies in 2026. Then penalizes you for being late,” added Deakin.
LTO responds
In response to the viral post, LTO chief Markus Lacanilao defended the traffic officer on the scene. In addition to crossing a double solid lane, Deakin’s son also failed to produce the vehicle OR/CR.
“The document they presented is from the importer to the dealer. What does that mean? It has not yet been sold to a buyer and should not be driven on the road,” Lacanilao explained. “Under our rules, driving an unregistered vehicle is considered reckless driving.”
Addressing the lack of sufficient time to settle the violation, Lacanilao added, “Since the apprehension occurred during the Christmas season, it is expected that some government offices would be closed. Because of this, motorists should take existing holidays and office schedules into account when fulfilling their obligations within the prescribed period.”
Clarification was appreciated, but the nature of the violation was never the central issue. The LTO’s dated processes are.
Untanglement in progress
While practically ingrained in our government systems, red tape isn’t necessarily something local agencies and offices can easily ignore.
In May of last year, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) announced that it would charge a total of 131 local government units (LGUs) for failing to streamline and digitize their services.
In October 2025, a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) employee was sentenced to one year in prison and fined P500,000 for soliciting money in exchange for issuing a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC). Mr. Rolando Cepe, the alleged perpetrator, was found guilty after ARTA, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), caught Mr. Cepe in the act during an entrapment operation.
Meanwhile, just this past December, ARTA received a complaint citing that Pag-IBIG failed to render services within a prescribed processing period, marking a violation of Republic Act 11032. While the investigation revealed that it was due to a system downtime at Pag-IBIG’s Caloocan branch, ARTA required the branch head of Pag-IBIG Caloocan to submit a formal explanation for the potential violation.
Not to mention, even the Social Security System (SSS) was put under scrutiny after topping ARTA’s list of most-complained agencies. Fortunately, after coordinating with ARTA, SSS revealed that all of the validated 244 complaints were addressed and resolved within ARTA standards.
At what cost?
Red tape is undoubtedly in worse shape than it was in previous years. But looking at instances where it is still perpetuated, and even in moments where anti-red tape initiatives are taking effect, these all seem to come after the fact. Too little too late.
Securing government basic services connotes a need that is essential to daily life, from securing a pension loan to having documents for house construction approved. It isn’t the same as waiting for a credit card.
While it is good that violations are now being caught and steps are being taken to digitize and streamline government services—the fact remains that jobs, homes, and lives will be at risk when these are delayed. Unfortunately, until there are zero delays across all agencies, offices, and LGUs, many of those capable would much rather pay the premium through a fixer than wait.
