Anti-drunk and drugged driving law Rama says law needs review

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama does not support the newly-enacted anti-drunk and drugged driving law saying the fines are too exorbitant.

Rama does not encourage policemen and other law enforcement authorities in Cebu City to strictly enforce the law and suggested that the measure has to be reviewed because it “did not go through much scrutiny.”

“Implement a law that is unreasonable is just like agreeing to a law that was not well thought of,” Rama said.

The minimum penalty for drugged or drunk drivers who figure in accidents will be three months imprisonment and fine ranging from P20,000 to P80,000.

But if the accident resulted in physical injuries, the fine will be from P100,000 to P200,000.

Republic Act 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, which was recently signed by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, also provides that if the accident resulted in homicide, the fine will be from P300,000 to P500,000 in addition to imprisonment.

“Ah, binuang na. Balaud na nga buang. Dapat ila na nga gitan-aw kay basin og gidali-dali na og approve. You don’t make laws abided by because of exorbitant penalty. You make laws being observed and complied with because there is respect, instead of fear kay kon gani og dili pa maka-afford ang madakpan kadaghang mangapriso,” Rama said.

Rama added laws have its own standard where it should be fair, reasonable, just and it must not be confiscatory.  But contrary to Rama’s stand, the transport sector in Cebu welcomes the new law as this is a deterrent to drunk driving.

“Maayo na nga balaod para magbanatay na gyud ang atong mga drivers nga dili na gyud maghubog hubog kung mo-drive sila labi na daku kaayo ang penalty,” Julieto Flores, spokesperson of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association and Cebu South Mini-Bus Operators Association said.

But Rommel Liquin, a driver of a motorcycle-for-hire or “habal-habal” complained of the stiff penalties.

 â€œGrabeha ana nga  balaud uy. Kon madakpan ta, mabaligya na lang ang atong motor sa kadaku sa multa,” Liquin said.

On the other hand, Ryan Benjamin Yu, chairman of the Cebu Confederation of Transport Operators and Drivers Association, Inc. hopes for the immediate implementation of the law.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 Regional Director Raul Aguilos said drunk driving resulting in accidents is a worldwide problem.

He stressed that one of the major causes of vehicular accidents is driving under the influence of alcohol.

“The passage of this law is necessary to impose corresponding fear and discipline among drunks who drive and to stop such bad habits,” said Aguilos.

 Aside from imposing high penalties, under the law, LTO shall suspend for 12 months the license of a non-professional driver after the first conviction and perpetual revocation of license after second conviction while professional drivers shall have their license perpetually revoked after the first conviction.

The law also provides that driver’s license of those who refused to comply with mandatory tests for field sobriety and drug tests shall be revoked.  Drivers suspected of being drugged or drunk will be pulled to the side of the road by the law enforcers for them to undergo sobriety tests, breath analyzer or drug testing.

If the concerned driver refuses to undergo testing, they will be penalized by confiscating their license and subjecting it to revocation.

Over-speeding, weaving, lane straddling, sudden stops, swerving, and poor coordination are the signs that the concerned drivers need to be flagged down to be tested.

Aguilos said they will wait for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for them to know how the new law would be implemented.  (FREEMAN)