Solon seeks to amend anti-drunk driving law

CEBU, Philippines — House Deputy Majority Leader and Cebu City South District Representative Eduardo Rama Jr. filed House Bill No. 8939 to amend Republic Act 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, following a series of fatal road incidents in Cebu reportedly linked to intoxicated motorists.

The measure, formally lodged on April 22, 2026, seeks to establish a “Vision Zero Philippines” framework where road deaths are treated as preventable, not inevitable.

The urgency of reform is underscored by recent incidents in the city, including the hit and run death of 23 year old entrepreneur Kingston Ralph Cheng in Banilad and a senior citizen couple who were killed in a pedestrian accident at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Rama said the tragedy exposed gaps in enforcement. (CEBU NEWS)

“Road safety in the Philippines has become a public health crisis that demands stronger, more responsive laws that reflect the shared realities on the ground,” he said.

The measure was drafted in collaboration with students of the University of San Carlos College of Law’s Criminal Justice System class under USC Vice President for Administration Atty. Joan S. Largo and Dean Jose Glenn Capanas. Their proposals were incorporated into the bill, underscoring the growing role of academic institutions in shaping legislative reform.

HB 8939 introduces stricter blood alcohol concentration (BAC) thresholds: 0.0 percent for novice drivers, professional drivers, and operators of public utility vehicles, and 0.02 percent for private motorists.

It also mandates post accident chemical testing within two hours in cases involving injury or death, with administrative sanctions for enforcement officers who fail to enforce the rule.

Drivers who refuse testing would face a disputable presumption of intoxication.

The bill also imposes harsher penalties in “vulnerable zones” such as schools, hospitals, playgrounds, and densely populated residential areas. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs resulting in homicide in these areas would be punishable by reclusion perpetua and fines ranging from ?700,000 to ?1,000,000.

All violators would be required to undergo the Impaired Driver Intervention Program (IDIP) or face permanent license revocation.

Another key provision is the admissibility of secondary evidence when primary tests are unavailable or refused.

Law enforcement officers may rely on credible witness testimony, video recordings from dashcams or body worn cameras, and observable signs of impairment to establish violations. This addresses the evidentiary gap that has allowed suspects to evade liability by delaying testing until alcohol dissipates.

Rama emphasized that the bill also acknowledges the structural dimension of road danger.

Unlike countries with “Vision Zero” infrastructure, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian overpasses, Philippine roads often force pedestrians to share lanes with vehicles, magnifying the risks posed by impaired drivers.

“We are pushing for the amendment of R.A. 10586 as part of our continued effort to address the growing number of road accidents, reckless driving incidents, and driving under the influence incidents across the country,” Rama added.

With HB 8939, Rama joins a growing number of Cebuanos and other Filipinos around the country demanding stronger safeguards against drunk driving.

The measure seeks not only to deliver justice in cases like Cheng’s but also to address what Rama calls a “serious and persistent public health crisis” on Philippine roads.