Definitions of Key Terms
- Carnapping: Unauthorized taking of a motor vehicle with intent to gain.
- Motor Vehicle: Vehicles using public highways powered by engines, excluding specified exceptions.
- Defacing or Tampering: Altering or changing serial numbers on engines, engine blocks, or chassis.
- Repainting, Body-building, Remodelling, Dismantling, Overhauling: Various forms of altering the vehicle's appearance or structure outlined for legal clarity.
Registration Requirements
- All owners of unregistered motor vehicles or parts in knock-down condition must register the engine, engine block, and chassis with the Land Transportation Commission (LTC) within one year.
- Non-registered parts are presumed untaxed, illegally sourced, or carnapped and subject to confiscation.
- Motor vehicle registration must also be reported to local police without charge.
Permanent Registry and Reporting
- The LTC maintains a permanent registry capturing type, make, serial numbers, and ownership records of engines, engine blocks, and chassis.
- Copies of registration records are shared with the Philippine Constabulary and LTC offices nationwide.
Transfer and Sale Registration
- All sales, transfers, and substitutions of motor vehicle engines, blocks, and chassis must be registered with the LTC.
- Vehicles assembled or rebuilt with unregistered parts cannot be registered and are considered illegally sourced or carnapped.
Registration Procedures for Assembled or Rebuilt Vehicles
- Original registration requires a clearance certificate from the Philippine Constabulary verifying the vehicle and its parts are not listed as stolen or carnapped.
- LTC will then register the vehicle following existing rules.
Customs and Importation Controls
- Collectors of Customs must report to LTC the arrival of imported motor vehicles or parts, including their specifications and owners.
- Non-numbered imported parts will be held until numbered by the LTC.
Obligations of Importers, Distributors, Sellers, and Manufacturers
- Importers and distributors must keep detailed permanent stock records and submit monthly reports to LTC.
- Manufacturers must number every engine block, chassis, or body produced and report monthly to LTC.
Assembly, Rebuilding, and Shipment Clearances
- A certificate of clearance from the Philippine Constabulary is required before assembling or rebuilding a vehicle, including an affidavit of all parts and their sources.
- For motor vehicle engines used in water vessels, clearance must be secured from the Philippine Coast Guard.
- Owners or operators of inter-island water transport must report to the Philippine Constabulary any motor vehicles or parts being transported.
Prohibition on Defacing Serial Numbers
- It is illegal to deface or tamper with original or registered serial numbers on engines, engine blocks, or chassis.
Penal Provisions
- Violations of the Act carry imprisonment from two to six years and a fine equal to the acquisition cost of the vehicle or parts involved.
- Juridical persons will have penalties applied to their responsible officers or employees.
- Government officials committing or permitting violations face dismissal with prejudice and disqualifications.
Penalties Specific to Carnapping
- Carnapping without violence: imprisonment of 14 years and 8 months to 17 years and 4 months.
- Carnapping with violence or intimidation: imprisonment of 17 years and 4 months to 30 years.
- If death results from carnapping, penalties range from life imprisonment to death.
Alien Offenders
- Aliens convicted under this Act are subject to immediate deportation after serving their sentence.
Rewards for Informants
- Informants providing information leading to recovery of carnapped vehicles and conviction of offenders may receive rewards set by the Philippine Constabulary.
- Informer identities are kept confidential.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Separability Clause: Invalid provisions do not affect the validity of the remaining Act.
- Repealing Clause: Inconsistent laws, orders, and regulations are repealed or amended accordingly.
- The Act took effect immediately upon approval.