MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Richard Gordon yesterday opposed the plan of President Duterte to suspend the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, which requires bigger and color-coded number plates for motorcycles.
Gordon, who authored Republic Act 11235, said the law seeks to address killings and other crimes perpetrated by motorcycle-riding criminals.
The law can be amended but it cannot be suspended, he said, “because it has been signed by the President.”
Duterte said he would meet with Gordon to come up with a compromise.
The senator said an average of four persons are killed daily by criminals on motorcycles.
He said amendments to the law can be introduced in the next Congress.
Gordon said around 4,000 people have been killed by motorcycle-riding criminals.
He identified one of the victims as Monalisa Bernando, aide of former Makati mayor Junjun Binay, who was killed by gunmen on motorcyles on March 21.
Duterte to push for amendments
Malacañang is ready to address the concerns of riders on the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act by inserting safeguards in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) or supporting amendments to the law.
Under the law, bigger, color-coded number plates that are readable from the front, back and side from a distance of at least 15 meters should be placed on the motorcycle.
Violators will be fined P50,000 up to P100,000 and a prison term of six months to six years.
Some motorcycle rider groups are opposed to the law, saying bigger front tin plates may cause injuries if detached. Critics said the law is discriminatory and creates the impression that bikers are criminals.
Last Saturday, President Duterte said he would seek the suspension of the law because the “doble plaka” provision was a safety hazard and that its corresponding fines were too high.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo admitted that Duterte may have been misled into believing that placing the number plate on the front side of the motorcycle could endanger the rider.
“Gordon said the number plate could be a sticker so fears that it could injure a rider when detached are baseless,” Panelo said.
Panelo noted that a law cannot be enforced without the IRR.
He said the IRR may define the number plate as a decal or sticker, not something made of tin.
“If they are OK with that, then there’s no more danger,” Panelo said, adding that there is no need to amend the law if the issues are resolved through the IRR.
“With regard to the P100,000 fine, if the penalty is hefty, I don’t think anybody will still violate,” he said.
LTO chief: Up to Congress
The head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) yesterday said he is leaving it up to Congress to take into consideration Duterte’s apprehension about the motorcycle plate law.
LTO chief Edgar Galvante said they it would be up to lawmakers to consider the President’s suggestion to lower the fines.
Galvante said they would meet with the different sectors to get their suggestions about the issue.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) supported Duterte’s plan to suspend the law.
PNP spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said Duterte’s decision shows the President “is listening to the concerns of motorcycle riders.”
Banac assured the public that the PNP would continue to run after criminals who use motorcycles in their illegal activities. – With Alexis Romero, Romina Cabrera, Emmanuel Tupas