A method and apparatus for deriving a motion vector predictor (MVP) are disclosed. The MVP is selected from spatial MVP and temporal MVP candidates. The method uses a flag to indicate whether temporal MVP candidates are disabled. If the flag indicates that the temporal MVP candidates are disabled, the MVP is derived from the spatial MVP candidates only. Otherwise, the MVP is derived from the spatial and temporal MVP candidates. The method may further skip spatial redundant MVP removal by comparing MV values. Furthermore, the parsing error robustness scheme determines a forced temporal MVP when a temporal MVP is not available and the temporal MVP candidates are allowed as indicated by the flag. The flag may be incorporated in sequence, picture, slice level, or a combination of these levels.