Mandaluyong gov't asks court to junk plea vs anti-bike riders' ordinance

MANILA, Philippines - The Mandaluyong City government has asked a local court to junk the petition of a motorcycle riders' groups, questioning the legality of an ordinance prohibiting persons to be riding in tandem on a motorbike if they are not immediate relatives.

The city legal department recently filed a motion to dismiss the petition for certiorari filed by the Motorcycle Rights Organization and the Arangkada Riders Alliance before the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 213 of Judge Carlos Valenzuela.

The court had denied the groups' request for a temporary restraining order and the writ of preliminary injunction.

The ordinance, passed by the city council and implemented last August, aims to reduce the crimes committed by "riding-in-tandem" suspects.

Only spouses, parents and siblings will be allowed to be with motorcycle drivers, the ordinance said.

Riders must bring their proof of relationship such as marriage certificates and identificaiton cards.

Violators who are caught during the six-month trial period will be slapped with a P1,000 fine on the first offense. For the second offense, the riders will be fined with P2,000 and third with P3,000 plus three-month jail term, the local statute added.

The ordinance has received opposition from several motorcycle riders' groups. They said that instead of implementing such an ordinance, the local government should increase police visibility.