No more ticket tantrums: Supreme Court orders Metro Manila LGUs to follow MMDA traffic ticket system

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has recently ruled that all local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila must stop using their own systems for traffic tickets. Instead, they have to use the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) single ticketing system (STS). The recent ruling will put an end to the issuance of individual traffic violation receipts and confiscation of driver's licenses by individual LGU traffic enforcers.

The July 11, 2023 ruling, which was recently made public, declares a permanent injunction against LGUs from independently penalizing traffic violations. The decision invalidates the common provision in the traffic codes of 15 Metro Manila LGUs named in the case. Malabon and Marikina, not part of the original petition, are unaffected by this ruling.

Set in the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023, the difference is part of the MMDA's plan to make traffic rules and penalties the same across Metro Manila, which includes fines for common traffic violations and rules for all primary and more minor roads in the area. However, the SC clarified that this ruling would not undermine the autonomy of the LGUs, as the MMDA Law protects their interests.

The issue dates back to a petition from jeepney drivers and operators in 2006, where they argued that the LGUs' traffic ticket systems were against the rules set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) law and the MMDA law, which support a single system for traffic tickets.

While the case was still going on, the MMDA introduced a uniform ticketing system in 2012. However, the Court of Appeals initially rejected the petition, saying it had no basis, and they didn't decide if the LGUs' ticketing system was conflicting with the MMDA's system because, at that time, the MMDA hadn't set up its system yet.

After more legal actions, the case reached the Supreme Court, leading to the current decision.