SC PARTIALLY LIFTS TRO ON NO CONTACT APPREHENSION POLICY

THE Supreme Court on Tuesday partially lifted the restraining order on the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

According to SC spokesman Camille Ting, the High Court granted the urgent motion filed by the Office of the Solicitor General on behalf of the MMDA, partially lifting the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued on Aug. 30, 2022.

The Solicitor General said the use of vehicles in public roads is “nothing more than a privilege” but can be subject to regulation. 

Ting said the partial lifting covers only the NCAP along major thoroughfares and does not include the implementation of local government units and the fines.

“The TRO is only lifted with respect to the MMDA but it still remains with respect to the LGU ordinances. It can only be implemented by the MMDA in major thoroughfares kasi ‘yung MMDA resolution only refers to major thoroughfares, especially C-5 and EDSA,” Ting said.

The SC issued the TRO after some transport groups questioned the constitutionality of the NCAP.

The transport groups challenged ordinances of Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Parañaque City and Muntinlupa City issued between 2016 and 2021. 

They said the program has no legal basis under the MMDA Charter and Land Transportation and Traffic Act. 

In a motion dated May 8, 2025, the MMDA sought the immediate partial lifting of the TRO against the NCAP, saying “existing traffic management measures simply fall short of what the situation demands.”

The MMDA added that with the announced massive rehabilitation of EDSA which will start mid-May  2025, they expect sgnificant diversion of vehicles to interior roads and alternate routes.

It said that given the sheer volume of vehicles and the complexity of Metro Manila’s road network, the limited deployment of MMDA traffic enforcers and deputized local officers is gross inadequate to manage the anticipated surge in traffic.