The measure, sponsored by Sen.

Grace Poe during the

On the other hand, any person involved in the

16th Congress as chairwoman of the Senate public

concealment of the crime of carnapping would be

order and dangerous drugs committee, gives more teeth

imprisoned from six to 12 years and fined with the

to law enforcers to go after criminals who illegally

acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, engine or any other

acquire vehicles.

part involved in the violation.

It has been enrolled in Malacanang before former

The law also considers carnapping a non-bailable

President Benigno Aquino III stepped down last June 30.

offense especially if evidence of guilt is strong. Public

officials involved in carnapping also face dismissal from

Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days to

service and perpetual disqualification from public office.

sign or veto a measure approved by Congress.

It also requires those asking for the original registration
It is our hope that this new and comprehensive Anti-

of a vehicle to apply for clearance from the Philippine

Carnapping

National Police and the Land Transportation Office

Act

imposing

much

stiffer

penalties,

alongside strict implementation by our law enforcers, will

(LTO).

hinder the commission of this crime and give vehicle

owners peace of mind, Poe said.

The statute also mandates the LTO to keep a permanent

registry of motor vehicles, motor vehicle engines, engine

The new law takes effect 15 days after publication. The

blocks and chassis of all motor vehicles stating the type,

new law repeals RA 6539, otherwise known as the The

make, serial numbers as well as the the names and

Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.

addresses of the vehicles present and previous owners.

Under the law, a person found guilty of carnapping is

Tampering of serial numbers and transfer of vehicle

penalized with 20 to 30 years of jail term, while the old

plates without approval from the LTO will also be

law only imposes 14 years and eight months to 17 years

considered a criminal act under the measure.

and four months imprisonment.

The law also penalizes the sale of secondhand spare
If violence, intimidation or use of force were used, the

parts obtained from a carnapped vehicle. Identity

person found guilty would be imprisoned for 30 years

transfer of parts of a vehicle declared a total wreck will

and one day to 40 years. When the owner, driver,

also be a violation.

occupant of the carnapped motor vehicle was killed or

raped, the person found guilty would be sentenced to life
imprisonment.

http://www.mb.com.ph/president-duterte-approves-anticarnapping-act/#G1mgvE6jCbC3uemW.99