More teeth to the anti-carnapping law

Congressman Jeci Lapus was our guest last Sunday on the TV show Motoring Today’s segment Motoring Forum to discuss his proposed legislation to amend the existing Anti-Carnapping Act to make it attune to the times and the ferocity of the breakers of the said law.

The representative from the 3rd District of Tarlac is espousing an amendment that would make car theft an “unbailable” crime, even if there were no death that resulted from the crime, which the law is presently limited to. This amendment shall put to an end the recidivists’ practice of plying their illegal trade right after posting bail.   

Also part of the proposed amendments is to surrender the registration plates of vehicles that have been declared as total loss. The said plates are reportedly being used on vehicles of the same model and color and sold as legitimately registered vehicles—poor buyers.

We fully support this proposed legislation and urge our lawmakers to put this on top priority as we have been seeing the prevalence of this crime, some tragically ending for its victims.

More informed and disciplined bikers needed

If latest accident statistics are to be seriously considered, there is a dire need for concerted efforts to improve the education of motorcyclists regarding road safety and discipline. 

2010 Land Transportation Office (LTO) data show that of the 1.3-M new vehicles registered, about 80% or just over 900,000 were in the motorcycle/tricycle (MC/TC) category. In contrast, current statistics show that registered MC/TC now total close to 3.5-M or more than 52% of the 6.6-M registered vehicles in the country.

This phenomenal industry growth is indeed a very encouraging development for the country’s motorcycle manufacturers and importers. However, it comes at the painful cost of an alarming almost two-fold increase in road accidents involving motorcycles from 11,475 cases in 2005 to the present 20,518.    

Interestingly an advocacy group known as Safe-T-Ryders is right in the midst of efforts to reduce road accidents among bikers. To promote greater awareness among the public in general and motorcycle riders in particular, Safe-T-Ryders, a training center purely for motorcycle riders is conducting a series of Bikers Club meet-ups. The goal is to engage organized bikers to take active part in the promotion of road safety and reduction of road mishaps.

Recently the group reached out to Malabon City riders with its 3rd Biker’s Club Meet-Up last week, May 20, at the Malabon Amphitheater. As part of the Araw ng Malabon celebrations, UFRC (Underbone Fury Riders Club) and City Councilor Payapa Viola Ona hosted the afternoon of fun and learning.

Other Bikers’ Club that came for the meet-up included Big Dog Riders Club, Palasan Riders, Malabon Teachers 2 Riders, Shadow Drift Riders, Lagalag Riders, Archo Riders and Malabon Riders Club. Celebrity race rider Ms. Love-Love Tioseco came for the meet-and-greet session highlighted by endless photo-ops with all the club members.

According to Safe-T-Ryders founder Arnel Doria, who was once the marketing head of a leading automobile brand and who was also instrumental in setting up HSDC, the country’s first integrated vehicle training center, “The Club Meet-Up program is a part of our advocacy to engage bikers club members in the active campaign to multiply the number of responsible and disciplined riders. This will be a continuing program for Safe-T-Ryders Training Center and we invite corporate partners to join us in this road safety advocacy.”

The Club Meet-Up is open to bike club members as well as individual riders. Attendance is free of charge to qualified participants. For interested parties and/or riders clubs who would like to host the meet-up they can contact Safe-T-Ryders (landline 208-8085 / mobile 0932-872-3389). You can also check for updates on Facebook (www.facebook.com.safetriders).

Only for those who really love their automobiles

Some weeks back our good friend and broadcast peer Anthony Suntay came to our offices to introduce to me his childhood friend who’s been doing good in the US but decided to make a comeback to his homeland bringing with him a technology that he wanted to share with fellow Pinoys who have a penchant for having their automobiles with a maintained smooth luster finish.   

In the heels of the success of this latest car paint protector and enhancer in the US, Singapore and Indonesia, young Pinoy businessman Raffy Caeg has brought CS-II to the Philippines.

“CS-II is a unique and innovative ceramic-like polymer coating that provides maximum enhancement and protection to automotive finishes. It seals the microscopic holes on the car’s paint, making it tougher and more resistant to minor scratches while blocking harmful ultra-violet rays, which can bleach the car’s color” explains the young Pinoy entrepreneur.

We learned from Raffy that the application of the CS-II car finish protection and enhancement technology takes at least a 2-day period. The first of the 2-step process is the cleaning and the filling of the pores of the paintwork leaving a smooth finish. The 2nd step involves creating a hard protective skin while maintaining a smooth luster finish. This process guarantees that rains, dirt and the sun’s harmful UV (ultra-violet) rays can no longer penetrate it.     

“Our warranty is 18 to 24 months of paint protection” Raffy confidently declared. “We actually remove the accumulated wax from your car and swirls caused by frequent washing and waxing” he added.

There are still a lot to be said about CS-II. But I strongly suggest you check them out first at the CS-II facility located at 2289 Chino Roces Avenue Ext., UPRC 3 Bldg. inside the Denso Shop before taking them on. 

I have always made it a point to support and encourage countrymen who decide to come back to their homeland with the prospect of making it here rather than somewhere else. 

All the best to you guys.

Heard it through the grapevine

Lovers of Motown music of the 60s and 70s would surely remember that great Marvin Gaye hit, “I heard it through the grapevine…” and that Billboard chart-buster kept on ringing in my ears like a LSS (Last Song Syndrome) while listening to this latest auto industry wide-spread talk about what automobile models would most likely be brought in by the eagerly-awaited “new kid on the block” that’s about to move in any day now to Philippine shores—Peugeot.

Word has it that a crossover, an MPV, a sedan and a sports car, all with standard setting in terms of fuel economy are the most likely market changers that are up the sleeves of our good friend Felix Mabilog who’s rumored to have recently inked the French badge’s importation and distribution in the country.

Risking the ire of Felix’s devoted wife, Pritchie who now looks at the prospect of an aborted life of retirement for her husband, I would have to say it again that Felix, a known pillar in the local auto industry has still a lot to share to the young bloods of the sector and seeing him reluctantly fade into retirement would be such a sorry waste.   

Go for it, Felix.

What’s for this week on Motoring Today?

If you had missed the coverage of the recently held thrilling Monaco Grand Prix, you still have a chance to see highlights of this exciting Formula One race on the Solar Sports Channel this Sunday at 12 noon on Motoring Today’s motor sports segment, Race Weekend simulcast on Sky Cable Network (Channel 70) and Global- Destiny Cable Network (Channel 34).

On the same episode, Paranaque City Mayor Jun Bernabe shall guest on Motoring Forum, the segment that dwells on issues that are significant to the general motoring public.

Happy Motoring!!!

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