Several changes proposed

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is looking to suspend the implementation of RA 11235, or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.

The Chief Executive expressed concern over the new law during his speech at the 25th National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines Annual Convention in Iloilo, last Saturday.

“I will try to convince the LTO [Land Transportation Office] to maybe hang onto it,” said the President. “I-suspend ko lang muna... May kanto ‘yang plate number eh… with an impact na ganon, tutusok ‘yan sa helmet mo. (I will suspend it first. The plates have corners. With an impact like that, it will pierce your helmet.)”

The statement was met with applause at the Iloilo Convention Center. Recognizing the need for easy motorcycle identification, he proposed another change.

“Lakihan na lang ninyo ang plate number sa likod by one-fourth para makita talaga yung number. Ang importante talaga yung sa likod. (Make the plate bigger at the back by one-fourth so it can be read. What’s important is at the back.),” he noted.

In addition, the President also criticized the harsh penalties prescribed by the law.

“Fifty thousand is… mas mahal pa sa motor… i-compromise siguro. Ako, I’m willing 10 to 15,000, okay na ‘yan. (P50,000 thousand is more than a motorcycle. A compromise would be better. I’m fine with 10-15,000.)”

President Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11235 on March 8. The law was drafted to prevent crimes committed by motorcycle riders by requiring motorcycles to have larger and more readable number plates from a distance.

According to the President, he considered the recommendations of the police and military when he signed the measure.

“Alam mo kasi…bakit pinirmahan ko…ang pulis tao ko yan. Ang military tao ko. Anong irekomenda nila, I will adopt it. Basta maglagay lang ng rationale, (I signed that because I trust my police and military. Whatever they recommend, I will adopt it; as long as there is rationale.),” he said

The President will discuss the details with the LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante and Senator Richard Gordon, who authored the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, in order to come up with fair solution.