QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1729)
PD 1729 authorizes the Bureau of Land Transportation to dispose of impounded motor vehicles that remain unclaimed/abandoned by their owners after a certain period, to reduce storage/security costs and risks, and to ensure an orderly disposal through public sale with notice and redemption options.
The Bureau of Land Transportation (now under the transport regulatory framework after subsequent reorganizations) is authorized to sell and dispose the unclaimed impounded motor vehicles.
Six (6) months from the date of apprehension.
The vehicle must be duly impounded and unreasonably and actually abandoned by its owners for failure to pay the necessary and required fines and penalties within six months from the date of apprehension.
Public sale is not automatic; before any public sale, owners must be given written notice and an option to redeem within 15 days or to participate in the public bidding.
(1) Redeem the vehicle by paying all necessary charges within fifteen (15) days from receipt of notice, or (2) participate in the public bidding to be set and conducted by the Bureau.
The owner can recover the vehicle upon paying all necessary charges within the 15-day window, subject to the requirements stated in PD 1729.
The owner answers for storage fees (fixed by the Bureau and approved by the Minister of Transportation and Communications), for services rendered in keeping the vehicles, and a penalty of P5.00 per day from the time the vehicle is impounded, subject to a maximum cap.
In no case shall the total amount exceed one-fifth (1/5) of the appraised value of the vehicle.
The Bureau shall fix the time and place of the public sale.
Notice of the time and place must be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.
Proceeds are applied to all liens, fines, fees, penalties, and costs of publication of notice.
Any remainder shall be returned to the former owners.
It repeals, amends, or modifies any laws, decrees, letter(s) of instructions, orders, rules, or regulations (or parts thereof) that conflict with PD 1729.
Immediately upon approval.
The appraised value is used to cap the total penalties/charges: the daily penalty total may not exceed 1/5 of the appraised value.