The Land Transportation Office on Thursday stopped the electronic tagging of motor vehicles undergoing registration in compliance with a Supreme Court order Tuesday against the agency’s controversial radio frequency identification (RFID) program.

Saying they have yet to receive a copy of the SC decision ordering a status quo ante on the project, LTO Chairman Arturo Lomibao however declined to discuss the issue of refunding the P350 RFID cost for vehicles already tagged since the new registration requirement was implemented starting January 4.

Despite the decision to stop its implementation, a coalition of leftleaning party-list organizations said they will file graft charges against officials of the LTO and the Department of Transportation and Communications in connection with the project.

LTO records showed there were 89,993 vehicles nationwide that have been tagged with RFID stickers as of Tuesday. The tagging of motorcycles was earlier postponed to February 15 since the LTO has yet to decide where to place the stickers on such vehicles.

“Pending the final and executory decision of the Honorable Court on the case, I have directed our LTO offices nationwide to hold in abeyance the tagging of motor vehicles,” Lomibao said during a press conference at the LTO headquarters on East Ave., Quezon City.

The order means “motor vehicles shall be allowed registration or renewal of registration without the tagging of RFIDs,” he said.

“Though I heard some transport groups are willing to be tagged voluntarily despite the SC decision, prudence will dictate, huwag na siguro. We will respect the majesty of the law,” Lomibao said.

“Our lawyers are now studying the future actions of the Department of Transportation and Communications-LTO in reference to the pronouncement of the Deputy Court Administrator that the petition against the RFID is still pending before the SC, and that the DOTC is ordered to file its comment in 10 days,” Lomibao said.

Lomibao said they will await official orders from the Supreme Court before refunding those who have paid for the device.

LTO Central Office Registration Division chief Mercedita Gutierrez said that in case of a refund, they will have to follow procedures prescribed by the Commission on Audit that the amount be reimbursed during next year’s renewal of registration.

Gutierrez said there are about a million motor vehicles for up registration in January or those with license plates ending in digit “1”.

Meanwhile, Lomibao advised owners of vehicles that have been tagged not to remove the stickers just yet.

“The SC order is not yet final. Don’t remove it (sticker) yet,” Lomibao said.

But the Makabayan party, a coalition of left-leaning party list groups, said graft charges will be filed against those behind the questionable implementation of the RFID program.

At Thursday’s Ayes and Nays News Forum, Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said their lawyers are also trying to determine the liability of Stradcom, the private firm contracted to implement the controversial project.

“Pinag-aaralan namin kung sino-sino ang dapat kasuhan ng graft. DOTC and LTO officials are liable; our lawyers are looking into the involvement of Stradcom,” he said.

Ocampo was among those who sought SC intervention into the alleged unconstitutional implementation of the project.

Together with Reps. Teodoro Casino (Bayan Muna), Joel Maglungsod (Anakpawis) and Liza Maza (Gabriela), Ocampo insisted that the project is a violation of the basic constitutional right to privacy.

The Makabayan members also pointed out in their 55-page petition for certiorari with prohibition that the DOTC and LTO project is a violation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Other petitioners include the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Pasang Masda Nationwide, Inc. and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations.