Manila: The Supreme Court (SC) has partially lifted the restraining order it issued in 2022 against the implementation of the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA): The Supreme Court (SC) has taken a significant step by partially lifting the temporary restraining order (TRO) it imposed on the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) in major thoroughfares. This decision comes in response to an urgent motion filed by the Office of the Solicitor General on behalf of the MMDA.

According to Philippines News Agency, the SC spokesperson Camille Ting stated that the TRO lifting applies only to the NCAP along major thoroughfares, specifically targeting roads like C-5 and EDSA. This means that while the MMDA can implement the policy on these roads, the TRO remains effective concerning local government unit ordinances. The TRO was initially issued following constitutional challenges posed by several transport groups against the NCAP.

In a motion submitted on May 8, the MMDA highlighted the pressing need for the partial lifting of the TRO. They argued that current traffic management strategies are insufficient to address the growing traffic issues. Data presented by the MMDA indicated that since the TRO's issuance on August 30, 2022, their CCTV cameras have recorded approximately 833,097 traffic violations by the end of April 2025. The month of March alone saw 12,566 traffic violations, surpassing the previous monthly average of 9,500 before the NCAP suspension.

The MMDA also noted the upcoming major rehabilitation of EDSA, set to begin operations by mid-May 2025, which is expected to redirect a substantial volume of vehicles to alternate routes. They emphasized that the limited number of MMDA traffic enforcers and deputized local officers is insufficient to handle the anticipated increase in traffic flow across Metro Manila's extensive road network. The partial lifting of the TRO is seen as a necessary measure to bolster traffic enforcement efforts in the region.