Traffic aides and police officers are no longer allowed to confiscate driver’s licenses of those caught violating traffic rules in Iloilo City.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna’s measure amending Ordinance No. 338-1992.
The amended ordinance removed the authority of traffic aides employed by the city government to seize driver’s licences.
“There is a need to harmonize the provisions of the local city ordinance with those of Republic Act (RA) 4136 and national government agency issuances,” the ordinance stated.
RA 4136 provides that only law enforcement and peace officers designated by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) are authorized to confiscate the licenses of traffic violators.
Cabaluna, chairman of the Committee on Transportation, said city traffic aides and policemen can only issue citation tickets.
Under the newly approved ordinance, erring drivers will be given 72 hours from the time of the apprehension to question/protest or pay for his fine to the City Treasurer’s Office or else a case will be filed against him.
“In the event such person desires to question or protest the issuance of such traffic citation or payment of such fine is not made within the 72-hour period, it shall be presumed that it is being protested and the Office of the City Treasurer shall stamp mark the traffic citation as ‘Protested’ and, within 72 hours thereof, forward the same to the Office of the City Prosecutor for immediate filing at the Municipal Trial Court in Cities in Iloilo City, to be dealt with in accordance with law,” Section 3 of the ordinance stated.IMT
