Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3956 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative ANTONINO B. ROMAN III 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, was enacted 
in 1964 and remains the primary law governing traffic regulations in the Philippines. While 
effective in its time, the fines and penalties it prescribes have long become outdated and no 
longer provide meaningful deterrence against violations. 
In response, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office 
(LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued Joint 
Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01, which significantly increased traffic fines and 
penalties. While this JAO has been enforced in practice, its validity rests only on the 
agencies’ claimed delegated powers, raising questions since only Congress may amend a 
statute. This unresolved issue exposes traffic enforcement to potential legal challenges and 
undermines certainty for both motorists and enforcers. 
This bill seeks to resolve the legal gap by expressly authorizing the DOTr, LTO, and 
LTFRB to conduct a periodic review of traffic fines and penalties and issue updated 
schedules through Joint Administrative Orders. To ensure constitutionality and fairness, the 
bill establishes penalty brackets, requires mandatory consultations with stakeholders, 
mandates publication and transparency, and provides for congressional oversight. 
The bill further requires that a portion of collections from traffic fines be allocated 
to road safety programs, driver education, and victim assistance funds, ensuring that 
revenues serve the public interest rather than being viewed merely as punitive collections. 
By institutionalizing this authority within clear legislative limits, Congress ensures 
that traffic laws remain effective and enforceable, while affirming its constitutional role in 
setting penalties and protecting the welfare of road users. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ANTONINO B. ROMAN III 
August 26, 2025
8:00 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3956 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative ANTONINO B. ROMAN III 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “LAND 
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODE,” TO PROVIDE FOR THE 
PERIODIC REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENT OF FINES AND PENALTIES FOR 
TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Amendment to RA 4136. – A new section is hereby inserted into Republic 
Act No. 4136 to read as follows: 
SECTION 56-A. Periodic Review and Adjustment of Fines and Penalties. – The 
Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Land Transportation Office 
(LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), is 
hereby authorized to conduct a periodic review, at least once every five (5) years, of 
all fines and penalties prescribed under this Act and related issuances. 
After due consultation with stakeholders, including transport groups, and road safety 
advocates, the DOTr, LTO, and LTFRB shall jointly issue a Joint Administrative 
Order (JAO) prescribing the updated schedule of fines and penalties. 
Such Joint Administrative Orders shall have the force and effect of law upon 
compliance with Section 3 (a) hereof, and shall remain effective unless amended or 
repealed by Congress or by subsequent issuances in accordance with this authority. 
SECTION 2. Penalty Ranges. – The following ranges shall guide the DOTr, LTO, and 
LTFRB in setting and adjusting fines and penalties: 
a.
Minor Violations (e.g., failure to carry license, illegal parking, broken lights) –
not less than ₱500 but not more than ₱10,000;
b. Serious Violations (e.g., reckless driving without injury, driving under the
influence, overloading of public utility vehicles) – not less than ₱10,000 but not
more than ₱50,000; and


 
 
c. Grave Violations (e.g., reckless driving resulting in death or serious injury, 
operating without franchise, tampering with registration or license) – not less 
than ₱50,000 but not more than ₱100,000. 
 
Adjustments within these ranges may be made through JAOs every five (5) years, taking 
into account inflation, socioeconomic conditions, and road safety data. 
 
SECTION 3. Transparency and Oversight. – Every JAO issued under this Act shall: 
a. Be published in the Official Gazette and at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation; 
 
b. Be posted on the official websites of the DOTr, LTO, and LTFRB; and 
 
c. Be transmitted to both Houses of Congress, through the Committees on 
Transportation, for proper oversight. 
 
SECTION 4. Utilization of Fines. – A portion not less than twenty percent (20%) of all 
traffic fines collected pursuant to this Act shall be earmarked for: 
 
a. Road safety infrastructure and programs; 
 
b. Driver education, training, and awareness campaigns; and 
 
c. Victim assistance funds for road accident victims and their families. 
The DOTr and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall issue implementing 
rules for this section. 
 
SECTION 5. Adoption of Existing Schedule. – The schedule of fines and penalties 
prescribed under JAO No. 2014-01, Series of 2014, is hereby adopted and recognized as the 
initial schedule of fines and penalties under this Act, subject to the ranges provided herein. 
The DOTr, through the LTO and the LTFRB, shall review and, if necessary, adjust such 
schedule within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act to ensure full compliance 
with the penalty brackets set forth herein. 
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected. 
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, and regulations inconsistent 
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,