The Supreme Court (SC) has banned the unauthorized display of the High Tribunal’s official seal on private cars and non-official court vehicles under pain of punishment.
In an en banc resolution dated July 5, 2022, the SC warned that persons violating ban may be held accountable not only for indirect contempt of Court, as well as possible criminal and/or administrative liability.
The SC also ordered the revocation of previously-issued authorizations for such displays.
According to the high court, new authorizations must be issued in their place, which will require license plates to have clearly visible tamper- proof registration numbers. Any fading or illegibility would result in the automatic invalidation of such license plates.
The SC has also directed the Office of the Court Administrator to issue a circular on the matter for lower courts.
The resolution took effect immediately following its publication in two newspapers of general circulation on July 24, 2022.
Last year, the SC also prohibited the production, sale, or distribution of any items or merchandise bearing its seal, or similar items of merchandise indicating any connection with the Judiciary without its permission.
The prohibition was issued following reports that various entities were found selling and using merchandise bearing the official seal of the Supreme Court for illegitimate purposes.
In its Resolution in A.M. No. 21-06-07-SC (Re: Unauthorized Online Selling of Merchandise Bearing Supreme Court Seal and/or Insignia), dated June 15, 2021, the Court also warned that all persons or entities who would produce, sell, or distribute the said unauthorized items shall be criminally prosecuted under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
The RPC states that “the penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon any person who shall publicly and improperly make use of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a class of persons of which he is not a member.”