The whole motorcycling community is up in arms against the infamous RA 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act. Called the “Doble Plaka Law” by motorcycle riders, it now requires all road-legal motorcycles to have a front decal number plate and a bigger rear number plate. It also imposes stiff fines and penalties for non-compliance with its provisions.
One of those provisions relates to second-hand motorcycles and the requirement to immediately transfer ownership. Under the law, if the motorcycle was bought second-hand, the new owner only have 5 calendar days – including official holidays and weekends – to transfer ownership under his or her name or face hefty fines. Depending on the severity, these may include jail time of up to 6 years.
The seller, on the other hand, will also be held liable if he or she does not report the sale of the motorcycle to the LTO, this time, with only 3 calendar days to spare.
During an interview with Edwin Go of on his radio show, Motosiklo Xklusibo, LTO Executive Director, Atty. Romeo Vera Cruz advised the motorcycle community that if they have any disagreement with RA 11235, the best course of action is to write to their respective congressmen to amend or repeal the law.
“Suggestion ko lang ano, sa mga multa, sulatan nyo lang yung congressman niyo (Just my suggestion, regarding penalties, write to your congressman).”
This was in response to a question by Go regarding what could be done about the harsh fines and penalties for failure to comply, particularly with the small window.
“May wisdom din yung batas. Itong motorcycle kasi, minsan nagagamit ng mga riding-in-tandem [criminals] kaya may special attention ang kongreso (There's reason behind the law. The motorcycle is sometimes exploited by riding-in-tandem criminals. That's why Congress gave it special attention).”
A member of the congress (congressman), or a district representative, by definition, is a person who has been elected and inducted into the house of representatives to represent a particular constituency in a legislature.
Unfortunately for the LTO, they are only an implementing agency, leaving them no power to amend nor go beyond what is prescribed by the law.
“Wala talaga magagawa ang LTO dito [RA 11235]. Taga-enforce lang tayo (There's nothing the LTO can do about this. We just enforce.),” said Atty. Vera Cruz.
