Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1730)
The illegal printing, manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of fake official Bureau of Land Transportation (BLT) accountable forms and documents, as well as motor vehicle number plates and stickers, are declared offenses constituting economic sabotage.
The Bureau of Land Transportation (BLT) forms, documents, number plates, and stickers are protected under this decree.
It was enacted to safeguard the government and public interest against syndicated operations involving fake BLT forms and documents, to prevent loss of government revenues, and to support the BLT's program for upgrading driver quality and motor vehicle accounting.
The appropriate military tribunals or commissions have exclusive jurisdiction over these offenses.
No, the decree explicitly places jurisdiction with military tribunals or commissions, excluding ordinary civil courts from handling these cases.
It took effect immediately upon its signing on October 7, 1980.
Because these offenses result in significant government revenue loss and hinder the BLT’s programs, they are considered acts that seriously harm the nation’s economy and security.
The decree classifies the offenses as economic sabotage, which under Philippine law, carry severe penalties, though the decree itself focuses more on jurisdiction than specific sanctions.
It was signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos and by Presidential Assistant Joaquin T. Venus, Jr.
It is intended to expedite adjudication and effectively address the syndicate problem, as ordinary courts were seen as inadequate to handle such cases.