Law Summary
Carnapping and Penalties
- Carnapping defined as taking motor vehicle without consent, with intent to gain, using violence, intimidation, or force
- Penalties:
- 20-30 years imprisonment without violence
- 30-40 years with violence/intimidation/force
- Life imprisonment if owner/occupant killed or raped during carnapping
- Bail denial for strong evidence cases especially involving criminal gangs or violent acts
Concealment of Carnapping and Related Penalties
- Concealment punishable by 6-12 years imprisonment plus fine equal to acquisition cost of vehicle or parts
- Liability extends to juridical persons’ officials or employees directly involved
- Public officials involved face dismissal, forfeiture of benefits, permanent disqualification from public office
Registration Requirements and Procedures
- Original registration required within 1 week of assembly, rebuilding, or acquisition
- PNP clearance certifies vehicle/parts not stolen/carnapped
- LTO registers vehicle within 20 working days upon clearance and verification
- Unregistered engines, chassis or parts must be registered within 1 year or presumed carnapped and confiscated
Permanent Registry Maintenance
- LTO to maintain permanent registry specifying type, make, serial numbers, current and previous owners
- Registry copies distributed to PNP and all LTO branches
- Original Certificate of Registration to owner, copies to LTO and PNP
- Unlawful acts include encoding fictitious vehicles or duplicate registrations
Registration of Transfers and Changes
- Transfer/sale/conveyance and substitution/replacement of engine, chassis, or body must be registered within 20 working days
- Failure to register presumes vehicle or parts are from illegal sources subject to confiscation
Customs and Import Reporting Duties
- Collector of Customs must report to LTO within 7 days of import with detailed description and owner information
- Vehicles/parts without serial numbers held until numbered by LTO; PNP clearance required before numbering
Duties of Importers, Distributors, Manufacturers, and Sellers
- Importers/distributors/sellers must keep permanent records and render monthly reports of vehicle transactions
- Manufacturers must number every engine block, chassis or body and submit monthly reports to LTO
Assembly/Rebuilding and Shipping Clearances
- Clearance from PNP required before assembly or rebuilding, with detailed statement under oath regarding parts and sources
- Philippine Ports Authority must report to PNP before loading vehicles for shipment
- Loading motor vehicles on interisland/international vessels requires PNP clearance with certain exceptions
Prohibitions Regarding Serial Numbers, Identity Transfer and Plates
- Defacing/tampering with serial numbers unlawful
- Transfer or registration of vehicles declared total wreck or beyond economic repair prohibited
- Transfer or use of vehicle plates without LTO authority forbidden
- Sale/purchase of second hand parts from carnapped vehicles prohibited
Foreign Nationals and Rewards
- Foreign nationals convicted deported immediately after sentence without further proceedings
- Monetary rewards for information leading to recovery of carnapped vehicles and apprehension of offenders
- Informant confidentiality ensured
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- PNP with DOTC, LTO, Coast Guard, MARINA, Bureau of Customs, and stakeholders to promulgate implementing rules within 60 days
- Includes coordinated online access and clearance system to expedite verification
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Separability clause preserving remaining provisions if any part declared invalid
- Repeals Republic Act No. 6539 and amends conflicting laws
- Effectivity 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or newspapers