Supreme Court Circular No. 051-97, issued on July 15, 1997, mandates Clerks of Court in the Philippines to report monthly to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) about cases involving violations of traffic laws, particularly those under R.A. 4136. This directive follows the tragic vehicular accidents in June 1996, highlighting the need for stricter road safety measures. Clerks must submit details of disposed cases, including the driver's information and the nature of the offense, to ensure appropriate action on licenses, including potential suspension or revocation. Non-compliance with these reporting requirements will result in administrative penalties. The goal is to enhance traffic discipline and safety on the roads.
July 15, 1997
SUPREME COURT CIRCULAR NO. 051-97
| TO | : | All Clerks of Court of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts |
| SUBJECT | : | Report of Cases on Violation of Traffic Laws, Rules and Regulations Ordained Under R.A. 4136, As Amended |
The fatal vehicular incidents that occurred on the same day on June 22, 1996 in Gumaca, Quezon and Leyte, wherein more than thirty (30) persons died, prompted President Fidel V. Ramos to send written instructions to Assistant Secretary Manuel F. Bruan, Head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) "to institute stricter measures to improve public safety on roads especially Vehicle and Driver safety."
Although such serious vehicular accidents usually wind up in Courts, and the guilty party meted the penal sanction, nonetheless the accessory penalty as to whether the driver's license would be revoked or suspended would suffer the fate of oblivion. The principal cause is the failure of Clerks of Court to furnish the LTO or its nearest agency a copy of the judgment of conviction or acquittal. Such lamentable state of complacency cannot be condoned.
Pursuant therefore to Secs. 4 (d), 8 and 58 in relation to Secs. 16, 27 and 29 of R.A. 4136 as amended, in order to achieve the objectives thereof, i.e., — of instilling traffic discipline and fulfilling vehicle safety, driver safety and road safety in our highways, upon request of Assistant Secretary Manuel F. Bruan, Head of the Local Transportation Office, you are hereby ordered:
1. To submit by registered mail to the LTO, East Avenue, Quezon City, at the end of each month, a list of all cases, criminal or civil, involving violations of any provisions of the aforementioned Act or of other laws and ordinances relating to motor vehicles disposed of by your respective Courts during the month, indicating in each case, the name and address of the driver or owner of the vehicle, the number and date of issue of his license and/or of the Certificate of Registration of the vehicle and the offense of which the driver/owner was convicted or acquitted. Only positive reports including change in the status of previously reported cases are required. No report is necessary if there is no case filed or if there is no change in the status of previously reported cases. ACEIac
2. To forward by courier service to the nearest agency of LTO for suspension or revocation pursuant to Sec. 29 of the said Act, all licenses of drivers whose cases remain unsettled after fifteen (15) days from the date of apprehension.
Non-compliance herewith shall be treated as an administrative offense and dealt with accordingly.
(SGD.) ALFREDO L. BENIPAYOCourt Administrator