Senator Richard Gordon has urged the Land Transportation Office (LTO) anew to “immediately release” the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Republic Act 11235, better known to the motorcycle community as the Doble Plaka Law.
RA 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law, was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 8, 2019. Under the law, all types of motorcycles, big or small, are required to have bigger number plates in the front and back. The law sets fines of up to PhP100,000 and imprisonment for violators.
The senator has cited the assassination of a radio reporter in Dumaguete as a reason to push for the release of the IRR and begin implementation.
“This is yet another case of remorseless murder committed by riding-in-tandem assassins. This is very much appalling, especially that we are currently facing a pandemic. This brutal act should stop at once," said Sen. Gordon in a statement.
Gordon, the principal author of the law, said the use of front and rear plates will keep the public secure from crimes committed using motorcycles. He called on the LTO to come up with thee IRR so it can be implemented right away.
Strong opposition
The Motorcycle Dealers Association of the Philippines (MDAP) President, Edwin Go, told MotoPinas.com on March 20, 2019, that, together with the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA), they will file legal action against the Doble Plaka Law.
Go has also added that not, only is the law “very discriminating” against the motorcycle rider, but the law could also potentially hurt the entire motorcycle industry. Go pointed out that the law imposes a hefty fine for failure to attach a plate, ranging PhP 50,000 up to PhP 100,000 or jail time if the offending party is unable to pay.
Additionally, not all motorcycles are designed the same way, so fitment of the larger plates for the front and back of a motorcycle may not be possible at all for some models, added MDAP.
On March 25, approximately 50,000 motorcycle riders staged a protest against the Doble Plaka law.
Decals as front plate
On July 5, 2019, MotoPinas.com was able to obtain a copy of the draft IRR from a source inside the LTO. In that draft, the IRR suggests applying a 'decal' or a sticker-like material as a front motorcycle number plate as opposed to a rigid plate made of metal, like on cars or the back of motorcycles. The change was suggested in the name of safety and compatibility to more motorcycle models.
On March 6, 2020, after over a year of waiting, Senator Gordon asked the plate supplier to proceed with the design and implementation of the much-awaited motorcycle plates. Our source shared that the senator himself insisted on the three-letter and number combination, which some critics argued are not enough combinations to cover the millions of registered motorcycles.
Some of the concerned parties have already agreed to proceed with the plan to provide the long-overdue plates to millions of motorcycle riders.
