The measure, sponsored by Sen.

Grace Poe during the

imprisoned from six to 12 years and fined with the

16th Congress as chairwoman of the Senate public

acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, engine or any other

order and dangerous drugs committee, gives more teeth

part involved in the violation.

to law enforcers to go after criminals who illegally

The law also considers carnapping a non-bailable

acquire vehicles.

offense especially if evidence of guilt is strong. Public

It has been enrolled in Malacanang before former

officials involved in carnapping also face dismissal from

President Benigno Aquino III stepped down last June 30.

service and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days to

It also requires those asking for the original registration

sign or veto a measure approved by Congress.

of a vehicle to apply for clearance from the Philippine

National Police and the Land Transportation Office

It is our hope that this new and comprehensive AntiCarnapping

Act

imposing

much

stiffer

(LTO).

penalties,

alongside strict implementation by our law enforcers, will

The statute also mandates the LTO to keep a permanent

hinder the commission of this crime and give vehicle

registry of motor vehicles, motor vehicle engines, engine

owners peace of mind, Poe said.

blocks and chassis of all motor vehicles stating the type,

make, serial numbers as well as the the names and

The new law takes effect 15 days after publication. The

addresses of the vehicles present and previous owners.

new law repeals RA 6539, otherwise known as the The

Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.

Tampering of serial numbers and transfer of vehicle

plates without approval from the LTO will also be

Under the law, a person found guilty of carnapping is

considered a criminal act under the measure.

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

law only imposes 14 years and eight months to 17 years

The law also penalizes the sale of secondhand spare

and four months imprisonment.

parts obtained from a carnapped vehicle. Identity

transfer of parts of a vehicle declared a total wreck will

If violence, intimidation or use of force were used, the

also be a violation.

person found guilty would be imprisoned for 30 years

and one day to 40 years. When the owner, driver,
occupant of the carnapped motor vehicle was killed or
raped, the person found guilty would be sentenced to life
imprisonment.
On the other hand, any person involved in the
concealment of the crime of carnapping would be

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