LTO sanctions 88 dealerships for late registration, plates processing

MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has penalized 88 accredited motorcycle and car dealerships for violating the required timeline in processing the Official Receipt (OR), Certificate of Registration (CR) and plates of newly registered vehicles.

During the "Kwentuhan (Chat) with the LTO Chief" over Facebook on Thursday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao announced the sanctions, following hearings on show-cause orders (SCO) previously issued against the erring dealers.

Based on the resolutions issued, 37 dealers were fined, 39 were fined PHP500,000 and slapped with a six-month suspension of their accreditation, while 12 had their accreditation cancelled and were placed under a one-year blacklist.

Among those fined were multiple Premiumbikes branches across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, along with Wheeltek, Exponent Konka and V8 Racer outlets.

Dealers fined PHP500,000 and suspended for six months include Iconic Dealership in BGC, Taguig; Rizal Autozone in Parañaque; several Wheeltek branches; Motoxpress outlets in Las Piñas, Pampanga and Cavite; and Mazda Sta. Rosa in Laguna, among others.

Those whose accreditation was cancelled and blacklisted for one year include Wheeltek branches in Makati, Bulacan, Timog and Pampanga; Maverick in Taytay, Rizal; Honda Motor Sports in Makati; and several Motoxpress and Rizal Autozone branches.

Lacanilao warned that dealers who continue to violate LTO regulations will face heavier penalties, including the suspension of their operations.

"Hindi nagtatapos sa pag-iisyu ng SCO ang aksyon ng LTO sa pagpapanagot sa mga accredited dealer na hindi tumutupad sa kanilang mga obligasyon (The LTO's action to hold accountable accredited dealers who fail to fulfill their obligations does not end with the issuance of an SCO)," Lacanilao said.

The LTO said it will continue strict enforcement of existing regulations to ensure the timely processing of initial vehicle registration.

The agency also encouraged the public to file complaints against accredited dealers who violate existing regulations through the "Ireport mo kay LTO Chief" Facebook page or website https://ireportmokayltochief.ph/. (PNA)