MMDA ready to refund NCAP fines if ordered by Supreme Court

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is willing to return the fines collected from violators through the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) if the Supreme Court (SC) orders it. 

MMDA spokesperson Atty. Crisanto Saruca Jr. said that the agency is willing to refund the fines collected under NCAP [Image: MMDA]    

This was according to MMDA spokesman Atty. Crisanto Saruca Jr. in a report by the Philippine Star. He said that the agency “would comply with any decision the Supreme Court will hand down eventually” regarding the matter, although he admitted that it would “take a lot funds” to return the money. 

Rep. Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman party-list earlier urged authorities to reimburse apprehended motorists for the fines collected under NCAP, following the program’s suspension with a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the high tribunal on Aug. 30.

Romero specifically referred to the MMDA and local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila that have previously enforced NCAP, estimating that tens of millions of pesos have been collected by the program. His call was seconded by Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers, who earlier called for a congressional investigation into NCAP’s implementation.    

A lawmaker estimates that the total fines collected through NCAP run into tens of millions of pesos 

Saruca also said that motorists apprehended through NCAP prior to the SC order should wait for further pronouncements from the high court before paying their fines. He maintained that there was no conflict between the pronouncements made by the MMDA and the SC on how to deal with notices of NCAP traffic violations.  

“We’ve already mentioned that anything prior to Aug. 30 issuance pursuant to the MMDA NCAP would remain subject to further pronouncements from the Supreme Court,” he said, assuring motorists with existing NCAP notices that the fines will be payable with no interest. Saruca earlier noted that the NCAP’s suspension was prospective, meaning that violators caught before the TRO was issued will still need to pay the penalties. 

The MMDA has fielded more traffic enforcers following the NCAP's suspension

Under the MMDA’s NCAP, drivers caught violating the number coding scheme face fines of Php 300. Separate versions of NCAP enforced by LGUs impose a first-time penalty of Php 2,000, or nearly seven times as much. Prior to NCAP’s suspension, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Joey Salceda filed House Bill 3423 or the Motorist Protection and Rights Act, which aims to place a cap on NCAP penalties.    

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