POLITICS

Supreme Court Dismisses NCAP Petitions, Lifts TRO

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Manila, Philippines. The Supreme Court en banc dismissed consolidated petitions challenging the No-Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) in Metro Manila and lifted the temporary restraining order previously issued on August 30, 2022. The 33-page decision, authored by Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda and promulgated on June 3, found the petitions moot following subsequent legal developments. This week the court cited adoption of the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 and procedural defects — including lack of standing and failure to exhaust administrative remedies — as reasons to dismiss the cases. The decision allows the MMDA and participating local government units to proceed with NCAP enforcement under the uniform traffic code, while leaving open substantive legal issues for administrative or future judicial review.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

RA 7924 and RA 4136 provided statutory background for traffic regulation (dates prior to 2022).
August 30, 2022: Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order halting NCAP in several cities.
2023: Metro Manila Traffic Code (MMTC 2023) adopted, instituting a uniform traffic enforcement scheme.
June 3 (promulgated): Supreme Court en banc dismissed consolidated petitions as moot in a 33-page decision by Justice Rodil Zalameda.
After the decision: TRO lifted and MMDA/LGUs may resume NCAP enforcement under the MMTC 2023 framework.

Why This Matters to You

The Supreme Court's decision impacts traffic enforcement in Metro Manila. If you live, work, or travel there, expect the No-Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) to resume. This means traffic violations can be captured on camera, without a physical apprehension. Check local traffic rules to avoid penalties.

The Bottom Line

The court's dismissal of the petitions allows for NCAP enforcement under the new uniform traffic code. However, legal issues remain open for future review. This is a story to watch if you're concerned about traffic regulation and its impact on your daily commute. Worth forwarding if you know someone in Metro Manila.