Ferrari, Porsche, among luxury cars impounded by LTO during Undas

For a long time, there has been a running joke among Filipino motorists that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) primarily enforces traffic laws only against the less affluent. This enforcement is often seen targeting small-displacement motorcycle riders or drivers of older, inexpensive vehicles. While framed as humor, the joke exposes a harsh and persistent reality that the law is perceived to apply only to Juan dela Cruz.

The LTO’s latest moves, however, aim to assure the public that laws are being enforced equally against every motorist, and with no preference given to social standing or wealth.

During the recent Undas long weekend, the LTO has reported the apprehension of multiple luxury cars, mostly due to registration infractions. One example is that the agency flagged down two Ford Mustangs on October 31 along the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road. According to the LTO's report, both Mustangs had issues with their registration, and the respective drivers were issued tickets and had their licenses confiscated. The report, however, did not explicitly state whether these particular vehicles were immediately impounded.

The LTO continued its enforcement drive at the SLEX-CALAX rotunda in Biñan, where the team, personally led by LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao, apprehended what appeared to be a new Porsche Panamera. According to the agency, the luxury vehicle was immediately impounded and transported to the LTO’s head office in Quezon City, as the driver failed to present any necessary documentation or proof of registration.

The LTO continued its high-profile enforcement on November 2, when a yellow Ferrari 458 was flagged down along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). This model currently fetches north of PHP 15 million in the Philippines. According to the LTO’s report, the initial stop was for the vehicle operating without a license plate properly attached. Further verification revealed the driver was operating the high-performance car without a license, leading authorities to immediately impound the Ferrari.

“Napansin namin ang nakakabahalang pagbiyahe sa kalsada ng ilang luxury cars nang walang wastong dokumentasyon at hayagang lumalabag sa mga patakaran sa trapiko. Nagdudulot ito ng malaking panganib sa kaligtasan ng publiko, at gumagawa kami ng mga tiyak na hakbang upang matugunan ito,” said Lacanilao.

(We have observed the concerning presence of luxury vehicles operating on the road without proper documentation and in open violation of traffic regulations. This poses a significant risk to public safety, and we are taking concrete measures to address this issue.)

A Honda Civic hatchback was also impounded and brought to the LTO head office in Quezon City after authorities discovered that the vehicle was unregistered and that the owner or driver had failed to report its engine change.

The LTO also issued a stern warning to every motorist that traffic laws are enforced equally for all, without exception, as well as emphasizing that obeying the law is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive.