Traffic violators in Manila can file for amnesty or pardon

The City of Manila introduced the No-Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) to minimize face-to-face interactions on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you were caught on camera and have been putting off settling your long overdue traffic violations for the same reason, the local government is granting a reprieve. 

Manila Mayor Franciso Domagoso is granting amnesty to the city's traffic violators

In a virtual briefing with the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association (MACHRA), Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso announced that the city government will be offering an amnesty program for erring motorists from October 1 to December 29, 2021. Under the amnesty, only fines for the original violation will need to be settled, without having to worry about accompanying penalties, interests, and surcharges. 

According to Domagoso, transport operators made the appeal for the amnesty on behalf of the city’s public transport drivers, several of whom have been struggling to pay the fines because of the pandemic. “Some of these drivers accumulated bills amounting to as big as Php 600,000 to Php 800,000 in traffic violations alone,” he said. Common traffic infractions include disregarding traffic regulations such as ‘No U-turn’ and ‘No left turn’ as well as ignoring traffic lights. 

The mayor told reporters that despite having no traffic enforcers in a particular area, violations will still be caught by cameras positioned on all of Manila’s streets, constantly monitoring and recording everything. 

The city's streets are constantly monitored by CCTV cameras even with no traffic enforcers around

He credited Manila Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah ‘Honey’ Lacuna-Pangan for coming up with the city ordinance offering the amnesty, adding that it shows concern for motorists even as he emphasized the need to strictly follow the city’s traffic rules. Domagoso stressed that the penalties are not as important as reminding everyone to help maintain order in the streets.

This is the second time that Manila has granted amnesty to erring drivers. On December 10, 2020, Domagoso signed Ordinance No. 8699 which waived accumulated penalties and surcharges for motorists whose licenses have been confiscated for committing traffic violations. Holders of Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVRs) will settle only the original amount, as long as the payments were not made under protest. 

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