A network of digital advocates warned that a recent memorandum issued by the Department of Transportation directing the Land Transportation Office to stop confiscating driver’s licenses will significantly weaken traffic law enforcement, citing serious gaps in the agency’s technological capacity.
Digital Pinoys National Campaigner Ronald Gustilo said the directive removes one of the LTO’s most effective compliance tools without providing a ready and reliable replacement system.
“You cannot take away a core enforcement tool when the replacement system is not sufficient. This memo weakens enforcement at a time when road discipline and public safety demand stronger controls, not weaker ones.” Gustilo said.
Gustilo noted that without physical license confiscation, enforcement will rely heavily on post-apprehension processes that are not supported by real-time databases, handheld verification devices, or fully interoperable systems. As a result, traffic enforcers on the ground are unable to immediately verify the status of a driver’s license or determine whether a motorist is already subject to suspension or revocation.
“Imagine allowing a driver whose license should have been confiscated to remain behind the wheel. Even if a license is revoked after several days, enforcers currently have no reliable way to verify that in real time. Drivers can continue presenting a license without fear of detection, putting other road users at risk.”
Gustilo warned that these gaps could lead to non-compliance, repeat offenses, and inconsistent enforcement across different areas, ultimately undermining road safety.
Gustilo also said that the issue highlights the urgent need for genuine modernization of the LTO and the entire traffic enforcement system. He called for the procurement of modern enforcement tools, secure and interoperable software platforms, centralized real-time violation databases, and digital adjudication and payment systems, alongside comprehensive training for traffic enforcers on technology use, due process, and data privacy.
“Modernization is not a press release—it requires tools, systems, training, and time. Until those are in place, removing existing enforcement mechanisms is reckless.”, Gustilo added.
Gustilo also added that beyond operational concerns, an administrative memo cannot override the law, stressing that penalties expressly provided by statute cannot be suspended without legislative action.
“A memo cannot overrule an act of Congress. If the law is to be changed, it must be done through Congress, not by administrative fiat.”
Ronald Gustilo, National Campaigner, Digital Pinoys
