Metro car theft on the rise

Six out of 10 vehicles stolen in the first 11 months of the year were seized in Metro Manila, Sen. Renato Cayetano said yesterday.

Citing Philippine National Police figures, Cayetano said that 60 percent of the 1,970 car theft cases reported to the authorities from January to November this year were committed in Metro Manila.

He viewed with alarm the growing number of cars stolen in Metro Manila, as he renewed his warning to shopping mall owners that they could be held liable if cars parked in their facilities are lost to thieves.

According to Cayetano, almost 80 percent of the vehicles were stolen while parked, with only 20 percent forcibly taken.

Mall owners said that they could not be answerable to thefts as all car owners who park in their facilities acknowledge the waiver of liability contained in parking tickets.

Cayetano, however, contended that the waiver is a non-binding contract of adhesion.

"A contract of adhesion could not be regarded as a true contract since it suppresses the will of one of the parties. In parking tickets, only the owner of the establishment fixes the terms, leaving the motorist no choice but to accept them," he said.

Earlier, the Senate committees on trade and industry and on justice and human rights had ruled that malls and other commercial establishments could not escape liability for losses or damages suffered by motorists who use parking facilities.