SC stops LTO from issuing license plates released by Customs Bureau

The Supreme Court temporarily stopped the Land Transportation Office from issuing the 700,000 license plates to motorists and from accepting more license plates from the Bureau of Customs.

In a media briefing, SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te said the high court issued a temporary restraining order against the "release, distribution, or disposal in any manner" involving the 300,000 license plates for motor vehicles and 400,000 for motorcycles which were turned over by the Customs Bureau to the LTO.

The license plates were shipped in 11 container vans, but were not claimed by the Dutch-Filipino consortium PPI-JKG Philippines Inc., the consignee which holds the supply contract with the LTO.

Since last year, the shipment has been kept at the Manila International Container Port as PPI-JKG did not settle the P40 million of taxes and duties.

The BOC emphasized it could neither utilize nor dispose of the plates which were specifically made according to the requirements and security features prescribed by the LTO.

It decided to donate the plates to the LTO.

As the motor vehicle license plates come in pairs, the 300,000 license plates are actually 600,000 pieces.

Covered by the SC order were the LTO and the Department of Transportation and Communications and their agents, representatives, or people acting on their behalf.

Other license plates the bureau may subsequently turn over in favor of the LTO Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program are also covered by the TRO.
 – VDS, GMA News