A lawmaker acknowledged the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the consolidated petitions challenging the No Contact Apprehension Program in Metro Manila but said key legal concerns surrounding the system remain unresolved.
Gutierrez noted that the petitions were primarily dismissed on the ground of mootness following the adoption of the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 and its implementing measures, rather than on the merits of the substantive constitutional issues raised by the petitioners.
“Nirerespeto po natin ang procedural na dahilan kung bakit na-dismiss ang mga petition, pero gusto ko pong linawin na ang mga pangunahing concerns tungkol sa due process, privacy, at karapatan ng mga motorista ay hindi pa rin nalutas sa substance ng kaso,” said Gutierrez, senior vice chairperson of the House Committee on Transportation.
While acknowledging that the current NCAP system may still be imperfect, Gutierrez said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has been responsive to recommendations and criticism.
He said the agency had introduced significant reforms addressing many of the issues that prompted the original legal challenge.
“1-Rider Partylist recognizes that the MMDA has made substantial improvements in updating the system. The new uniform framework under MMTC 2023 incorporates better safeguards, clearer procedures, data privacy measures, and fairer adjudication processes,” Gutierrez said.
The lawmaker urged all local government units implementing NCAP to meet or surpass the standards established under the new Metro Manila framework.
“We urge all LGUs to step up and adhere to the same high standards of fairness, transparency, and accountability in traffic enforcement programs. Motorists deserve consistent, equitable, and corruption-free enforcement across the entire region,” he said.
Gutierrez assured the public that 1-Rider Party-list would continue closely monitoring the implementation of NCAP.