NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to regulate the no physical contact apprehension policy in implementing
traffic laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. 
The No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) utilizes modern technology to monitor
traffic. Even without the presence of traffic enforcers, violations like running a red light or
stopping at a pedestrian lane or making an illegal turn will be caught through the use of
closed-circuit television camera. The NCAP is not a novel concept. In fact, it was first
introduced in the country in 2002 by the Metro Manila Development Authority  (MMDA).
Lately, the NCAP has been the subject of various news reports. It appears that the
intended benefits of the Policy have been outweighed by the negative effects on motorists.
Reports state that motorists are being ticketed and excessively fined without valid cause.
This bill aims to regulate the Implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Policy to
ensure that the rights of drivers/owners/operators are protected. It clarifies the appeal process
for those who are apprehended and fined under questionable and invalid grounds.
Additionally, it requires traffic authorities to designate the area of operation where the No
Contact Apprehension is implemented. It also mandates the issuance of notice of violation to
the registered owner or  operator within seven (7) days from the time of infraction, and
implementation of an Email/Text message Notification System to promptly inform violators of
their offense.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
VIRGILIO S. LACSON
Manila Teachers Party-list
September 23, 2022
2:25 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON
AN ACT
REGULATING THE NO PHYSICAL CONTACT APPREHENSION POLICY IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION
OF
TRAFFIC
LAWS,
ORDINANCES,
RULES
AND
REGULATIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in  Congress
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “No Contact  Apprehension
Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to maintain peace and order,
promote discipline on the roads, and improve the traffic management system through efficient
and fair implementation of traffic laws, rules and regulations.
Towards this end, the State shall protect the rights of motor vehicle drivers as well as
traffic enforcement personnel. The State shall also encourage the use of closed-circuit television
(CCTV) cameras or other similar technologies to apprehend traffic violators and attain the
following objectives: 
a) Ensure that traffic rules and regulations are observed even without the presence
of traffic enforcers; 
b) Inculcate discipline in all drivers, registered owners and public utility vehicle
operators while using the vehicles on the road; 
c) Prevent traffic congestion, ensure smooth flow of traffic and minimize road
accidents; and 
d) Avoid altercation between drivers and traffic enforcers, and curtail graft and
corruption during physical apprehension of traffic violators.
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SEC. 3. No Physical Contact Apprehension. – The no physical contact  apprehension
policy, hereinafter referred to as the No Contact Apprehension, allows traffic authorities to
issue tickets against erring drivers for traffic violations captured by CCTV cameras or other
technologies. 
All national and local traffic authorities using CCTV cameras or other technologies in
enforcing traffic laws, ordinances, rules and regulations must adhere to the provisions of this
Act. 
SEC. 4. Area of Operation. – The traffic authorities must designate the area of
operation where the No Contact Apprehension is implemented. No traffic authority may
implement the No Contact Apprehension without informing the public of the area of
operation. 
In areas falling under the jurisdiction of different traffic authorities, only one (1) traffic
authority may implement the No Contact Apprehension. For this purpose, the different traffic
authorities must agree and designate their specific area of operation. The presence of traffic
enforcers in the area of operation must be maintained. 
SEC. 5. Presumption. – The registered owner is presumed to be the driver of a private
vehicle captured by the CCTV cameras or other technologies committing a traffic violation.
The operator is also presumed to be the driver of a public utility vehicle if there is only one (1)
franchise or a single unit under the name of the operator. This presumption may be disputed
upon presentation of substantial evidence.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and
Regulatory Board (LTFRB) shall provide the necessary information to the traffic enforcement
authorities for the effective implementation of the No Contact Apprehension. 
SEC. 6. Notice of Violation. – The traffic authority implementing the No Contact
Apprehension must send the notice of violation to the registered owner or  operator within
seven (7) days from the time of infraction. The notice must contain the following: 
a) Date, time, and location of the traffic violation;
b) Traffic violation and corresponding penalty;
c) Video file or still images of the violation that shows the plate number
conduction sticker of the vehicle; and 
d) Date, time and place of hearing of the traffic violation.


The notice serves as summons for the registered owner or operator or their  authorized
representatives to appear before the traffic adjudication board of the traffic authority that issued
the notice. 
Additionally, the traffic authority is required to implement an Email/Text message
Notification System to promptly inform violators of No Contact Traffic Apprehension Policy.
Message through other technological platforms may also be added to ensure immediate
notification to the violators.
As far as practicable, the traffic authority must first confirm that the traffic violator was
not physically apprehended before issuing the notice of violation for the same traffic
infraction. The notice of violation is automatically cancelled upon showing of a physically
issued citation ticket for the same traffic violation. 
SEC. 7. Refusal to Receive the Notice. – If the registered owner or operator  refuses to
receive and sign the notice of violation, the service of the notice is  deemed completed after
the person serving the notice leaves a copy of the notice and executes an affidavit of service
stating the circumstances of the refusal. Provided, that the affidavit of service shall indicate
the date, time, location of service, and name of the person serving the notice.
SEC. 8. Duty of Registered Owner or Operator. – The registered owner or  operator or
their duly authorized representatives must attend the hearing if registered owner or operator
wants to contest the alleged traffic violation. Failure to attend the hearing, after being duly
notified, is an admission of the traffic violation. 
The registered owner or operator who is not driving the vehicle at the time of the
alleged traffic violation must present before the traffic adjudication board the person actually
driving the vehicle captured in the CCTV cameras or other  technologies. If the driver is not
available on the scheduled hearing, the driver must execute an affidavit stating the
circumstances and admitting or denying the alleged traffic violation. 
In all instances when the alleged traffic violation is denied, it is the duty of
the registered owner or operator to prove such claim before the traffic adjudication board
mentioned under Section 9 of this Act, and present the person who may be liable for the traffic
violation. 
SEC. 9. Traffic Adjudication Board. – Any traffic authority implementing the No
Contact Apprehension shall have a traffic adjudication board exercising the following powers
and functions: 
a) Hear and decide cases involving the implementation of the No Contact
Apprehension; 


b) Issue subpoena duces tecum and ad testificandum and administer oath; 
c) Promulgate the rules of procedure; 
d) Furnish the LTO or LTFRB and other authorities a copy of the decision finding
violation of traffic laws, ordinances, rules or regulations; and
e) Perform such other functions necessary for the prompt disposition of cases.
The decision of the traffic adjudication board may be appealed to the executive head of
the traffic authority and the decision on the appealed cases is final and executory. 
SEC. 10. Prescription and Burden of Proof. - Any owner or operator of motor vehicle
apprehended by any traffic enforcement personnel may contest the traffic apprehension before
the traffic adjudication board of the traffic enforcement authority to which the traffic enforcer
belongs within thirty (30) days from the date of apprehension or discovery of the same. The
apprehending traffic enforcement personnel shall also appear before said hearing.
SEC. 11. Rights of the Owner/Operator. -- The owner/operator is entitled to:
a) Seek legal assistance from Public Attorney's Office and integrated Bar of the
Philippines, if necessary;
b) Seek guidance and other form of assistance from advocate groups such as the
Road
Safety
Advocates
of
the
Philippines
(RSAP)
and
other non-
government organizations duly registered with the Securities
and
Exchange
Commission (SEC); 
c) Take photo or video to record or document the traffic apprehension and use
the photo or video as evidence before the traffic adjudication board: 
d) Bring not more than five (5) persons during the hearing, including
the witnesses and lawyer, if any; 
e) Record on video or live stream the proceedings
SEC. 12. Renewal of license. – Except as provided under existing laws, the payment
of  fines and penalties for traffic violations under the No Contact Apprehension is not a
requirement for the renewal of motor vehicle registration or franchise. However, the payment
of fines and penalties is a requirement for the renewal of the driver’s license. 
SEC. 13. Liability. – Except for vicarious liability provided under Republic Act No.
386, as amended, otherwise known as the “Civil Code of the Philippines,” and subsidiary
liability under Act 3815, as amended, otherwise known as “The Revised Penal Code,” the


liability of the traffic violator under the No Contact Apprehension is personal and may not be
charged against any other person.
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall, in coordination with the Secretary
of the Interior and Local Government and chairperson of the Metro Manila Development
Authority, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
this Act. The rules and regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty
(30) days after its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, ordinances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are amended or modified  accordingly. 
SEC. 16. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.
SEC. 17. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,