Owners of colorum vehicles may want to think twice about heading out from now on.
In a Facebook post, the country’s Land Transportation Office (LTO) bared that it is now requiring owners to secure a court order for the release of vehicles impounded during anti-colorum operations.
Without a court order, registered owners will not be able to secure their unit—even with the payment of fines. This is on top of criminal charges that will be filed in relation to the offense.
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According to the agency, the move is to add “more teeth” to its anti-colorum drive. LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II says this move has been a long time coming, and that the agency hopes to deter future colorum violations with its crackdown.
“Simple lang po ito: May mga regulasyon patungkol sa operation ng public utility vehicles. Kung hindi po ito sinunod, maliwanag na iligal po ang operasyon nito and this is equivalent to committing a crime. Kaya may karampatang parusa at multa dito,” Mendoza stressed.
Mendoza also reiterated the responsibility of law enforcement to file criminal charges against colorum offenders.
“This is the responsibility of the apprehending officers, heads of LES/RLES (Law Enforcement Service/Regional Law Enforcement Service), and heads of office. Failure to do so shall be subject to administrative liability,” Mendoza said.
“Pending the criminal case, the unit should not be released without a court order as the vehicle is part of the evidence of the crime. Releasing the vehicle is tantamount to Infidelity in the Custody of Evidence.”
The move comes as local transport groups complain of losing income, as much as 30%, to colorum vehicles. Do you think this is a fair penalty for the crime? Chime in.
