Manila, Jan. 9 -- Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Friday ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to change the lead time for settling traffic violations to 15 days and suspend the confiscation of driver's licenses of erring motorists.

In a statement, Lopez said the order is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to streamline and clarify procedures in apprehending erring motorists.

In a memorandum dated Jan. 9, Lopez ordered the LTO to suspend the confiscation of apprehended drivers and to "revisit all pertinent issuances to ensure consistency across all existing policies."

"The new memorandum circular shall take effect immediately," he said.

Instead of immediate license confiscation, appreh...