THE Supreme Court (SC) has partially lifted the 2022 temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued against the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP), allowing its limited implementation on major roads.
SC spokesperson Camille Ting said the Court granted an urgent motion from the Office of the Solicitor General on behalf of the MMDA, permitting the NCAP to resume specifically along key thoroughfares such as EDSA and C-5.
“The TRO remains in effect for local government unit (LGU) ordinances, but it is lifted for the MMDA’s implementation on major roads,” Ting clarified.
The TRO was originally imposed after transport groups raised constitutional concerns over the policy, which uses CCTV cameras to identify and fine traffic violators without physical apprehension.
In its May 8 motion, the MMDA cited the growing number of traffic violations since the NCAP’s suspension. As of April 2025, 833,097 violations had been recorded, with 12,566 violations documented in March alone — far surpassing pre-suspension averages.
The agency also pointed to the upcoming EDSA rehabilitation project as justification, noting that a surge in diverted traffic requires enhanced enforcement capacity beyond what existing personnel can handle.