Title
Regulating Protocol License Plates for Gov't Officials
Law
Executive Order No. 56
Decision Date
Mar 25, 2024
Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issues Executive Order No. 56 to regulate the issuance and use of low-numbered protocol license plates for government officials, ensuring accountability and public safety by limiting their use to authorized personnel and mandating the surrender of plates upon leaving office.

Questions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 56)

EO No. 56 cites Executive Order (EO) No. 400 (s. 2005, as amended) as the authority for assigning protocol plates, and it also anchors the President’s power of control and faithful execution of laws under the Constitution (Art. VII, Sec. 17).

EO No. 56 invokes (1) Article XI, Sec. 1 (public office as a public trust; accountability and modest living) and (2) Article VII, Sec. 17 (President’s control over executive departments and duty to ensure faithful execution of laws).

It requires: (1) recommendation of the LTO, (2) approval of the Secretary of DOTr, and (3) based on the list of officials with equivalent rank from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

President—1 and/or PANGULO; Vice President—2; Senate President—3; Speaker—4; Chief Justice—5; Cabinet Secretaries—6; Senators—7; Members of the House—8; Associate Justices of the Supreme Court—9; Presiding Justice of the CA/CTA/Sandiganbayan and Solicitor General—10; Chairpersons of Constitutional Commissions and Ombudsman—11; AFP Chief of Staff and PNP Chief—14.

They may be allowed upon recommendation of the LTO and approval of the Secretary of DOTr. However, the grant is not construed to authorize all other officials with equivalent rank as the Associate Justices and below.

They must surrender the protocol license plates to the LTO upon those events.

The LTO, in coordination with concerned agencies, is directed to revoke and/or confiscate all expired protocol license plates, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

The assignment and/or transfer of protocol plates to unauthorized persons and/or motor vehicles, and the unauthorized use of protocol license plates.

It is sufficient cause for revocation of the authority, confiscation of issued protocol plates, and imposition of appropriate penalty including administrative sanction pursuant to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Generally, up to two (2) pairs of protocol plates per authorized official.

Yes. The President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may be allowed up to three (3) pairs of protocol plates.

The DOTr must develop and maintain a registry of protocol license plates issued to authorized officials and/or motor vehicles, supporting accountability and control.

Within 30 days from effectivity, they must issue guidelines covering requirements and process for application, approval, issuance, return, and confiscation, among others.

The guidelines must not expand the list of officials authorized to use protocol license plates.

It takes effect immediately after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Yes. EO No. 400, as amended, is repealed. Other inconsistent issuances, orders, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof, are repealed or modified accordingly.

Separability ensures that if any section or part is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected remain in force and effect.


Analyze Cases Smarter, Faster
Jur helps you analyze cases smarter to comprehend faster, building context before diving into full texts. AI-powered analysis, always verify critical details.