Short answer

Yes. An insurance settlement between motorists does not stop the State (through the PNP, LTO, MMDA, or an LGU) from enforcing traffic laws. Police and other deputized traffic authorities may still issue a citation ticket or file an administrative/criminal case if their investigation shows a violation.

Why settlement doesn’t bar a ticket

1) Traffic law is enforced by the State, not by private agreement

A payment by an insurer (or a private “waiver/quitclaim” between drivers) resolves civil liability between the parties—i.e., who pays for the damage or injury. But a traffic citation (administrative) and reckless/negligent driving (criminal, under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code) protect public safety. Private compromise cannot waive the State’s power to punish or regulate.

2) Three separate exposures from one crash

One road incident can trigger three independent tracks:

Civil – compensation for damage/injury (often handled by CTPL or comprehensive insurance; parties can settle this).
Administrative – violations of traffic laws/ordinances (e.g., reckless driving, beating the red light, obstruction, expired registration, no seatbelt/helmet, etc.), handled by LTO/MMDA/LGUs via tickets, hearings, demerits, and possible license sanctions.
Criminal – negligent acts causing injury/death/damage (Article 365 RPC) or violations of special laws (e.g., drunk driving). These are offenses against the State. A private settlement may affect the civil aspect but does not automatically extinguish criminal liability.

3) Affidavit of Desistance ≠ automatic dismissal

Even if the injured party or the other motorist “desists,” prosecutors and enforcers are not bound to drop a case when public interest is involved. Desistance is persuasive, not controlling. The State can proceed if there is probable cause.

Who can still issue a ticket—and when?

PNP traffic investigators may cite violations discovered at the scene or after investigation (e.g., based on CCTV, witness statements, skid marks, EDR/dashcam footage, or a re-construction).
LTO-deputized officers, MMDA enforcers (in the NCR), and LGU traffic units may issue citation tickets for their respective jurisdictions and ordinances.
A ticket need not be issued on the day of the crash. If the violation only becomes clear after evidence review (e.g., right-of-way, overspeeding indicated by reconstruction, DUI blood test results), authorities can issue a citation or initiate a case later—subject to due process and prescriptive periods under the applicable law/ordinance.

Practical takeaway: The timing of the ticket (immediate vs. after investigation) and the existence of a private settlement are not legal defenses against a valid citation.

Common scenarios

A) “We already signed an insurance settlement and a quitclaim.”

Administrative: You can still be cited for a traffic violation (e.g., reckless driving, beating the red light). You’ll have the right to contest in the proper traffic adjudication forum.
Criminal: If injuries occurred, police/prosecutors may still pursue negligent imprudence. Your settlement may reduce or settle the civil liability, and may influence prosecutorial discretion—but it does not automatically end the criminal case.

B) “There were only property damages, no injuries.”

Authorities may still issue a ticket for the underlying traffic infraction (administrative).
Criminal charges for “damage to property through reckless imprudence” are possible even without injuries, though in practice many such cases are privately settled; still, the State may proceed if warranted.

C) “Accident happened inside a mall parking lot/private road.”

Criminal law (e.g., Article 365) still applies anywhere in the Philippines.
Administrative enforcement by MMDA/LGU may depend on jurisdiction or specific ordinances; however, LTO (national) authority and police investigation can still operate.

D) “The other driver was also at fault, but I got the ticket.”

Shared fault is common. The fact that both parties settled does not stop authorities from citing one or both drivers if each violated a rule (e.g., speeding and failure to yield). You can contest and present evidence.

What the ticket can trigger (beyond a fine)

Driver’s License Demerit Points & Sanctions: Under the LTO demerit system (implemented with the longer license validity law), certain violations carry points that can lead to seminar requirements, suspension, or even revocation upon accumulation.
Show-Cause Orders / Administrative Hearings: For serious violations (e.g., reckless driving, DUI), LTO may require you to explain why your license should not be suspended/revoked.
Insurance Implications: A finding of a moving violation can affect fault allocation, deductibles, recoveries (subrogation), and future premiums.

Your rights and options if you’re ticketed after a settlement

Ask for the legal basis. Which law/ordinance provision and factual findings support the citation? You’re entitled to know the specific violation(s).
Check the officer’s authority. Was the officer deputized for that kind of enforcement (LTO/MMDA/LGU) and within that jurisdiction? Lack of authority can be a valid defense to the ticket, though not necessarily to a criminal complaint filed through proper channels.
Preserve and present evidence. Keep dashcam/CCTV clips, photos of road markings, traffic signal cycles, vehicle damage, witness details, and the police report(s). Evidence that convinced an insurer is helpful, but administrative/criminal standards are independent.
Contest through the proper forum.
- MMDA-Traffic Adjudication (NCR roads under MMDA), or
- Local Traffic Adjudication Boards (LGUs), or
- LTO (national violations, license sanctions). File within the stated period, attend hearings, and submit evidence. Non-appearance or late filings often lead to adverse rulings by default.
Mind criminal exposure. If injuries occurred—or the citation hints at reckless imprudence—consult counsel. Even if the other side “forgave” you, prosecutors may still evaluate the case. A well-documented settlement may settle civil liability and can support a motion to dismiss/withdraw, but this is not guaranteed.
Avoid compromising statements. Cooperate and be truthful, but do not casually “admit fault” beyond facts; stick to what you observed. Let the evidence speak.

Duties at the scene that can themselves be ticketed

After a crash, Philippine law expects drivers to:

Stop and render assistance;
Exchange information and report to authorities when required;
Avoid obstruction and follow lawful instructions of responders. Failure to do these can be separate, ticketable offenses—even if insurance later pays for the damage.

Special notes on DUI, speed, and safety-device laws

DUI / Alcohol / Dangerous Drugs: Positive tests or refusal/avoidance can lead to criminal and administrative cases independent of civil settlement.
Seatbelts (four-wheel), Helmets (motorcycle), Child Seat standards: Violations are typically administrative but may aggravate negligence findings in criminal/civil evaluation.
Speeding / Reckless Driving: Often proved by witness accounts, physical evidence, or reconstruction—sometimes only available after the day of the crash, which is why later tickets still happen.

Frequently asked questions

Q: If I already got paid (or I already paid) through insurance, can I ignore a later ticket? A: No. Pay or contest it properly. Ignoring can lead to penalties, holds on license renewal, or added demerit points.

Q: Can both drivers be ticketed? A: Yes. Each driver’s independent violations may be cited, regardless of insurance settlement.

Q: Is a “no-fault” insurance payment proof I didn’t violate anything? A: No. “No-fault” benefits (e.g., limited CTPL payouts) are designed for quick relief, not a finding about negligence or traffic violations.

Q: Will my settlement help my criminal case go away? A: It can help settle the civil aspect and may persuade the private complainant and even the prosecutor, but it doesn’t bind the State. Seek legal counsel if injuries/death were involved.

Bottom line

A private insurance settlement closes the civil money issue between motorists. It does not erase administrative responsibility for traffic violations or the possibility of a criminal case. Police and other deputized traffic authorities can still issue tickets after an accident—whether at the scene or after an investigation—subject to due process. If cited, act promptly: know the basis, challenge it in the proper forum if warranted, and keep thorough evidence.