LTO amends policy for apprehending traffic violators
Amid a social-media firestorm, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday released new guidelines on apprehending drivers who commit traffic violations.
MVL-2026-4846 outlines two major changes to those who are meted fines under Joint Administrative Order 2014-01. One is that driver’s licenses will no longer be confiscated upon apprehension, but will instead be placed under alert in LTO systems.
The other is the change of the 15-day settlement period from calendar days to working days, reckoned from the date of apprehension and excluding weekends, non-working holidays and days when government work is suspended. Failure to settle fines within this period will lead to an automatic, 30-day suspension or outright revocation of the violator’s driver’s license.
“This adjustment provides motorists with clear and reasonable timelines to process payments without unnecessary penalties,” the LTO said.
“The circular shall apply prospectively, governing only apprehensions made on or after its effectivity date; cases filed prior will follow rules in place at the time of apprehension,” the agency added.
The changes came after Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez had issued a Memorandum Circular earlier that day ordering the LTO to suspend license confiscation, along with ensuring consistency in its apprehension policy.
Veteran motoring journalist James Deakin, who has been at the center of an online word war with transportation officials, praised the move, adding that Lopez had called him on Thursday night to apologize.
“This, my friends, is what good public service looks like,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday.
“Not press conferences shaming citizens,” Deakin added. “Not impossible deadlines or arbitrary enforcement. But truly listening to your constituents and maintaining accountability, while using power to fix broken systems instead of protecting them.”
Holidays counted
The controversy started after Deakin posted on Facebook last Tuesday about how his son, Daniel, was apprehended last year for “reckless driving,” which he incorrectly claimed was a “criminal offense.”
In a Wednesday press conference, LTO chief Markus Lacanilao showed video footage of Daniel crossing a double solid line on the northbound lane of the Skyway Stage 3 on Dec. 18 to cut between vehicles queued at the Quezon Avenue exit in Quezon City, which impeded traffic flow.
Lacanilao added that Daniel did not show the vehicle’s Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) upon apprehension. Deakin said although they paid the P2,000 fine on Jan. 5, the LTO would not release Daniel’s license until they present the vehicle’s OR and CR.
Upon their return, the agency said the 15-day settlement period had lapsed and that his son’s driver’s license was automatically suspended for 30 days.
Although government offices were open on Dec. 19, 22, 23 and 26, Malacanang issued Memorandum Circular No. 111 that suspended government work on Dec. 29, 2025 and Jan. 2 to allow public-sector employees to celebrate the New Year. The next work day was Jan. 5.
“The government gives you 15 days,” Deakin said on Facebook. “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.”
‘Irresponsible’
Deakin likewise admitted that the vehicle that Daniel was using was a media lendout.
“I accepted it in good faith as it had the conduction sticker and temporary plate – but regardless of that, I understand that ignorance is no plea for the law so I accept full responsibility for not having double checked it first before letting my son drive it,” he said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Critics pointed out that Deakin should not have allowed his son to use that particular car in the first place.
“It’s understandable for a father to protect his son but it’s inexcusable for a motoring journalist to let his inexperienced son drive a media loaner (and along the Skyway at that),” said University of the Philippines journalism professor Danilo Arao on Thursday in a Facebook post.
“This all boils down to irresponsible journalism practice,” he added. “He should know better.”
