Acting Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the immediate revocation of all protocol license plates. This move covers all DOTr officials and their attached agencies to prevent their misuse and abuse.
The order comes in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, prohibiting government officials and employees from indiscriminate use of special license plates to evade traffic or avoid apprehension for violations.
In a memorandum issued on October 13, 2025, Lopez ordered the revocation of all previously issued authorizations for DOTr officials, including those from its sectoral and related agencies, as well as corporations working with or under the transportation office. The memorandum also ordered concerned officials to surrender their protocol license plates.
Under the memorandum, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has been tasked with coordinating the implementation of the directive and ensuring the successful return of all revoked plates. In addition, Lopez instructed the LTO to review and clarify certain provisions of the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2024-001 and submit an updated inventory of all issued protocol plates.
JAO 2024-001 was issued to streamline the process for granting low-numbered or protocol plates and curb their unauthorized use by both public officials and private individuals. DOTr’s latest move reinforces the government’s broader effort to impose stricter discipline among government personnel on the road.
In the same memorandum, Lopez also ordered a ban on the use of sirens, blinkers, or similar signaling devices, commonly called “wang-wang,” by DOTr officials and personnel. This is in compliance with Administrative Order No. 18, which strictly limits the use of such devices to authorized emergency and law enforcement vehicles only.
The LTO has been directed to strictly monitor compliance and impose appropriate measures against violations. Lopez stressed that the directive solidifies the government’s efforts to set an example of accountability and discipline on the road.
