Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by REP. ROMEO S. MOMO SR. 
First  District, Surigao del Sur 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Carnapping remains a serious concern in the Philippines, threatening public 
safety and causing economic losses to vehicle owners and businesses. While 
existing laws address this offense, the persistence of such crimes highlights the 
need for a stronger and more comprehensive legal framework that effectively 
deters offenders and ensures accountability. 
Republic Act No. 10883, or the “New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016,” has served 
as a key instrument in the government’s campaign against carnapping. 
However, certain gaps in its provisions have limited its full effectiveness, 
particularly in imposing adequate penalties and in streamlining procedures for 
the handling of recovered vehicles. 
Through these amendments, the measure aims to enhance law enforcement 
efficiency, promote accountability among both private individuals and 
government personnel, and reduce opportunities for repeat offenses. By 
closing the existing gaps in the law, this initiative aspires to curb carnapping 
incidents and reinforce the government’s commitment to protecting the public 
from crimes that endanger safety and economic stability. 
By addressing these gaps and reinforcing the legal framework, this bill aims to 
significantly reduce the incidence of carnapping in the country. It underscores 
the importance of a coordinated and stringent approach to crime prevention, 
ensuring the safety and security of the public. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ROMEO S. MOMO SR. 
July 14, 2025
8:01 am
1795


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by REP. ROMEO S. MOMO SR. 
First  District, Surigao del Sur 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING A PENAL CLAUSE FOR THE ACTS DEFINED UNDER 
SECTIONS 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, AND 17 AND 
AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSAL OF UNCLAIMED RECOVERED AND 
IMPOUNDED CARNAPPED MOTOR VEHICLES AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10883, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
NEW ANTI-CARNAPPING ACT OF 2016 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended 2 to 
read as follows: 
"Sec. 4. Concealment of Carnapping. - Any person who conceals 
carnapping shall be punished with imprisonment of six (6) years up to 
twelve (12) years and a fine equal to the amount of the acquisition cost 
of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in 
the violation; Provided, That if the person violating any provision of this 
Act is a juridical person, the penalty herein provided shall be imposed 
on its president, secretary, and/or members of the board of directors or 
any of its officers and employees who may have directly participated in 
the violation. 
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this act shall be 
punished with imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more 
than (6) six years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of 
the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in 
the violation. 
Any public official or employee who directly commits the unlawful acts 
defined in this Act or is guilty of gross negligence of duty or connives 
with or permits the commission of any of the said unlawful acts shall, in 
addition to the penalty prescribed in the preceding paragraph, be 10 
dismissed from the service, and his/her benefits forfeited and shall be 
permanently disqualified from holding public office." 
1795


 
SECTION 2. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read 
as 
follows: 
 
"Sec. 5. Original Registration of Motor Vehicles. - Any person seeking 
the original registration of a motor vehicle, whether that motor vehicle 
is newly assembled or rebuilt or acquired from a registered owner, 
shall, within one (1) week after the completion of the assembly or 
rebuilding job or the acquisition thereof from the registered owner, 
apply to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the clearance of the 
motor vehicle for registration with the LTO. The PNP shall, upon 
receipt of the application accompanied by a national police clearance, 
verify if the motor vehicle or its numbered parts are in the list of 
carnapped motor vehicles or stolen motor vehicle parts as well as the 
identity of the applicant. If the motor vehicle or any of its numbered 
parts is not on the list, the PNP shall forthwith issue a certificate of 
clearance. Upon presentation of the certificate of clearance from the 
PNP and after verification of the registration of the motor vehicle 
engine, engine block, and chassis in the permanent registry of motor 
vehicle engine, engine block, and chassis, the LTO shall register the 
motor vehicle in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations 
within twenty (20) working days." 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, 10 motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the 
violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who shall cause or allow the 
registration of any motor vehicle or issue a clearance in relation thereto 
that is contrary to law, rules and regulations shall be punished by 
reclusion temporal." 
 
SECTION 3. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 6. Registration of Motor Vehicle, Motor Vehicle Engine, Engine 
Block and Chassis. - Within one (1) year upon approval of this Act, 
every owner or possessor of an unregistered motor vehicle or parts 
thereof in knockdown condition shall register before the LTO the motor 
vehicle engine, engine block, and chassis in the name of the 
possessor or in the name of the real owner who shall be readily 
available to answer any claim over the registered motor vehicle engine, 
engine block and chassis. Thereafter, all motor vehicle engines, 
engine blocks, and chassis not registered with the LTO shall be 
considered as a carnapped vehicle, an untaxed importation, or coming 
from an illegal source and shall be confiscated in favor of the 
government. 


 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who shall cause or allow the 
registration of any motor vehicle or issue a clearance in relation thereto 
that is contrary to law, rules and regulations shall be punished by 
reclusion temporal." 
  
SECTION 4. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 7. Permanent Registry of Motor Vehicle, Motor Vehicle Engines, 
Engine Blocks, and Chassis. - The LTO shall keep a permanent 
registry of motor vehicles, motor vehicle engines, engine blocks, and 
chassis of all motor vehicles, specifying therein their type, make, and 
serial numbers and stating therein the names and addresses of their 
present and previous owners. Copies of the registry and of all entries 
made thereon shall be furnished to the PNP and all LTO regional, 
provincial, and city branch offices: Provided, That all LTO regional, 
provincial, and city offices are likewise obliged to furnish copies of all 
registrations of motor vehicles to the main office and to the PNP: 
Provided, further, That the original copy of the certificate of registration 
shall be given to the registered owner, the second copy shall be 
retained with the LTO and the third copy shall be submitted to the PNP. 
Moreover, it shall be unlawful for any person or employee who willfully 
encodes in the registry of motor vehicles a non-existing vehicle or 
without history, new identity of the already existing vehicle, or 
double/multiple registrations ("KAMBAL") of vehicle.  
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any 
other part involved in the violation." 
 
SECTION 5. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 8. Registration of Sale, Transfer, Conveyance of a Motor Vehicle, 
Substitution or Replacement of a Motor Vehicle Engine, Engine Block 
or Chassis. - Every sale, transfer, conveyance of a motor vehicle, 
substitution or replacement of a motor vehicle engine, engine block or 
chassis of a motor vehicle shall be registered with the LTO within 


twenty (20) working days upon purchase/acquisition of a motor vehicle 
and substitution or replacement of a motor vehicle engine, engine 
block or chassis. A motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, engine block, 
or chassis not registered with the LTO shall be presumed as a 
carnapped vehicle, an untaxed imported vehicle, or a vehicle 
proceeding from illegal sources unless proven otherwise and shall be 
confiscated in favor of the government. 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years 5 and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, 6 motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the 
violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any 
other part involved in the violation." 
 
SECTION 6. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 9. Duty of Collector of Customs to Report. - Within seven (7) 
days after the arrival of an imported vehicle, motor vehicle engine, 
engine block, chassis, or body, the Collector of Customs of a principal 
port of entry where the imported vehicle or parts enumerated above 
are unloaded shall report the shipment to the LTO, specifying the make, 
type, and serial numbers, if any, of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle 
engine, engine block, chassis or body, and stating the names and 
addresses of the owner or consignee thereof. If the motor vehicle, 
motor vehicle engine, engine block, chassis, or the body does not bear 
any serial number, the Collector of Customs concerned shall hold the 
motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, engine block, chassis, or body 
until it is numbered by the LTO: Provided, That a PNP clearance shall 
be required prior to engraving the engine or chassis number. 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any 
other part involved in the violation." 
 
SECTION 7. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
12 read as follows: 
 


"Sec. 10. Duty of Importers, Distributors, and Sellers of Motor Vehicles 
to Keep Record of Stocks. - Any person engaged in the importation, 
distribution, and buying and selling of motor vehicles, motor vehicle 
engines, engine blocks, chassis, or body shall keep a permanent 
record of one's stocks, stating therein their type, make, and serial 
numbers, and the names and addresses of the persons from whom 
they were acquired and the names and addresses of the persons to 
whom they are sold, and shall render accurately a monthly report of 
his/her transactions in motor vehicles to the LTO. 
 
In the case of motor vehicle engines to be mounted on motorboats, 
motor bancas, and other light water vessels, the applicant shall secure 
a permit from the Philippine Coast Guard, which office shall in turn 
furnish the LTO with the pertinent data concerning the motor vehicle 
engines including their type, make and serial numbers. 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, 7 motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the 
violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any 
other part involved in the violation." 
 
SECTION 8. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 11. Duty of Manufacturers of Engine Blocks, Chassis or Body to 
Cause the Numbering of Engine Blocks, Chassis or Body 
Manufactured. - Any person engaged in the manufacture of engine 
blocks, chassis, or body shall cause the numbering of every engine 
block, chassis, or body manufactured in a convenient and conspicuous 
part thereof which the LTO may direct for the purpose of uniformity 
and identification of the factory and shall submit to the LTO a monthly 
report of the manufacture and sale of engine blocks, chassis, or body. 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any 
other part involved in the violation." 
 


SECTION 9. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 12. Clearance and Permit Required for Assembly or Rebuilding 
of Motor Vehicles. - Any person who shall undertake to assemble or 
rebuild or cause the assembly or rebuilding of a motor vehicle shall 
first secure a certificate of clearance from the PNP: Provided, That no 
such permit shall be issued unless the applicant shall present a 
statement under oath containing the type, make and serial numbers of 
the engine, chassis, and body, if any, and the complete list of the spare 
parts of the motor vehicle to be assembled or rebuilt together with the 
names and addresses of the sources thereof. 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part 
involved in the violation." 
 
SECTION 10. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 14. Defacing or Tampering with Serial Numbers of Motor Vehicle 
Engines, Engine Blocks, and Chassis. - It shall be unlawful for any 
person to deface or otherwise tamper with the original or registered 
serial number of motor vehicle engines, engine blocks, and chassis. 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any 
other part involved in the violation." 
 
SECTION 11. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows:  
 
"Sec. 15. Identity Transfer. - It shall be unlawful for any person, office, 
or entity to cause and/or allow the sale, registration, and/or transfer 
into another name, the chassis number, engine number, and plate 
number of a motor vehicle declared as "total wreck" or beyond 
economic repair by the concerned insurance company, and/or law 
enforcement agencies, due to its involvement in a vehicular accident 


or for some other causes. The LTO shall cancel the registration of the 
total wreck vehicle as reported by the PNP and/or as declared by the 
Insurance Commission. 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any 
other part involved in the violation." 
 
SECTION 12. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 16. Transfer of Vehicle Plate. - It shall be unlawful for any person, 
office, or entity to transfer or use a vehicle plate from one vehicle to 
another without securing the proper authority from the LTO. 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part 
involved in the violation." 
 
SECTION 13. Section 17 of Republic Act No. 10883 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
 
"Sec. 17. Sale of Second-Hand Spare Parts. - It shall be unlawful for 
any person, office, or entity to buy and/or sell any second-hand spare 
parts taken from a carnapped vehicle. 
 
Any person who violates this provision shall be punished with 
imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than six (6) 
years and a fine equal in amount to the acquisition cost of the motor 
vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any other part involved in the violation. 
 
Any public official or employee who violates this provision shall be 
punished with reclusion temporal and a fine equal in the amount to the 
acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or any 
other part involved in the violation." 
 


SECTION 14. Disposition of abandoned motor vehicles. - All carnapped or 
stolen motor vehicle, recovered, and impounded by law enforcement agencies 
which after a period of three (3) months from the date of its seizure/recovery 
have remained unclaimed or whose real owners could no longer be determined 
or established because the original number plate of the motor vehicle or serial 
numbers of the motor vehicle engine, engine block and chassis numbers could 
no longer be determined and restored, are considered as abandoned motor 
vehicles and shall be sold and disposed of by the Chief, Philippine National 
Police through the Director, Highway Patrol Group his authorized 
representative in a public auction; Provided, That, in all cases before any public 
auction is effected, there shall be published once a week for three (3) 
consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines or 
in the place where it was recovered or found, a description of the motor vehicles 
intended to be auctioned with a notice that after the lapse of one month from 
the date of the last publication, should no person file a claim for the recovery of 
the same, said motor vehicles will be sold at public auction; Provided, Finally 
that the date and place of the public auction to be conducted by the Chief, 
Philippine National Police through the Director, Highway Patrol Group his 
authorized representative shall already be fixed in the last publication 
aforementioned. 
 
SECTION 15. Proceeds of the Public Auction. - After the public auction, the 
proceeds shall be applied to answer for charges including storage and cost of 
publication and related expenses incurred in connection therewith; Provided, 
That, the remainder, if any, shall form part of the trust funds of the Chief, 
Philippine National Police through trust receipts primarily for the of conduct anti-
carnapping, anti-hijacking, and anti-highway robbery operations 
 
SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, regulations and 
policies inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and/or 
amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 17. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of any provisions not affected shall 
remain in force and effect. 
 
SECTION 18. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,