SC partially lifts TRO vs. no contact apprehension policy

The Supreme Court has partially lifted the temporary restraining order against the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), allowing only the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to implement it, High Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting said Tuesday.

At a press briefing, Ting said the SC En Banc  granted the MMDA’s urgent motion to lift the TRO against NCAP last week.

She said this is effective immediately.

“If you remember, the TRO the court issued last August 2022, the TRO covers the MMDA resolution and the local city ordinances. So the TRO here is only lifted with respect to the MMDA but it still remains with respect to the LGU ordinances,” she said.

“It can only be implemented by the MMDA in major thoroughfares kasi ‘yung MMDA resolution only refers to major  thoroughfares, especially C5 and EDSA,” she added.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra earlier confirmed the development to reporters, but said they don't have a copy of the resolution yet.

This came after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) filed an urgent motion to lift the TRO against NCAP last week.

In August 2022, the Supreme Court issued the TRO against NCAP being implemented by some local government units in Metro Manila.

The order came after transport groups Kapit, Pasang Masda, Altodap, and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations filed a petition against local ordinances related to the NCAP in five cities (Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque) in Metro Manila.

Ting said the Court has yet to rule on the petition.

“If they decide with finality, then it's either the TRO is lifted all the way or it's completely not enforceable,” she said. — AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News