THE anti-car theft bill which makes the crime a non-bailable offense and lengthens its prescribed period of imprisonment and has lapsed into law because former President Benigno Aquino failed to sign it before stepping down last June 30.
Senator Grace Poe, who sponsored the measure in the Senate, said the New Anti Carnapping Law of the Philippines will now take effect 15 days after publication. The new law repeals Republic Act 6539, or The Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.
“It is our hope that this new and comprehensive anti-carnapping law imposing much stiffer penalties, alongside strict implementation by our law enforcers, will hinder the commission of this crime and give vehicle owners peace of mind,” Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs in the 16th Congress, said.
Under the law, a person found guilty of carnapping is penalized with 20 to 30 years of jail term, while the old law only imposes 14 years and eight months to 17 years and four months imprisonment.
If violence, intimidation or use of force were used, the 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 imprisoned from six to 12 years and fined with the acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, engine or any other part involved in the violation.
The new law also considers car theft a nonbailable offense especially if evidence of guilt is strong. Public officials involved in car theft also face dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from public office.
The bill also requires those asking for the original registration of a vehicle to apply for clearance from the Philippine National Police and the Land Transportation Office.
The proposed measure also mandates the LTO to keep a permanent registry of motor vehicles, motor vehicle engines, engine blocks and chassis of all motor vehicles stating the type, make, serial numbers as well as the names and addresses of the vehicles’ present and previous owners.
Tampering of serial numbers and transfer of vehicle plates without approval from the LTO will also be considered a criminal act under the measure.
The law also penalizes the sale of secondhand spare parts obtained from a carnapped vehicle. Identity transfer of parts of a vehicle declared a total wreck will also be a violation. –
