Tsikoteers fyi, read this on Manila Bulletin.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MTRG2006092074559.html

By ARIS R. ILAGAN

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has issued strict guidelines for the proper display of Land Transportation Office (LTO) vehicle license plates in an effort to curb incidents of criminality in Metro Manila and other critical areas.
Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr., PNP deputy chief for administration, said in an interview that they have received several complaints regarding the proliferation of plastic license plate covers that are heavily tinted, making them almost unreadable even from within a short distance.
Such kind of plastic license plate covers were being used by criminal syndicates, particularly carjackers, in their illicit activities, Razon said.
"We have been receiving reports that criminal elements have resorted to using these tinted LTO license plates. We are going to be strict against these illegal plate covers," Razon said.
Also, other owners of vehicles with tinted license plate covers use the scheme to evade apprehension on violation of the vehicular volume reduction scheme which is more popularly known as the "odd-even" traffic law.
According to the PNP-Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG), the recommended guidelines for the proper display and use of regular LTO car plates are as follows:
- The regular plates should be displayed as it is and should not be covered with glass, plastic, acetate, wire mesh or other coverings, which may make letters and numbers unreadable.
- Regular plates should also not be tampered, altered, or painted with other colors other than the authorized original paint color.
- The regular plate should not be placed on top of other foreign car plates such that other numbers or letters of such foreign car plate are made to appear as part of the regular LTO plates letters and numbers.
- Commemorative plates should not cover (be superimposed over) the regular plates but may be displayed on top or below the regular plate using different plate holder or frame may be displayed on the front windshield or placed on top of the lower right corner of the dash board.
Razon asked motorists to strictly adhere to the PNP guidelines on the proper display of the LTO license plates to avoid inconvenience of being flagged down by authorities, specifically on police checkpoints.
Also, the PNP is strictly implementing the "No plate, no travel" policy in all police camps nationwide as part of its intensified anti-criminality campaign in the country.