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