JV Ejercito stands in solidarity with riding community, urges priority on amendments to Doble Plaka law
February 10, 2024
JV Ejercito stands in solidarity with riding
community, urges priority on amendments to Doble Plaka law
Amidst ongoing discussions on constitutional
amendments, Senator JV Ejercito emphasized the pressing need to prioritize
amendments to the “discriminatory” provisions of Republic Act No. 11235, more
popularly known as the Doble Plaka Law, over Charter Change (Chacha).
Ejercito stressed that amending the Doble
Plaka Law and ensuring the safety and welfare of the riding community should
take precedence over other legislative initiatives like the Cha-cha.
"I firmly believe that the protection of
our riders should be given paramount importance," Ejercito pointed out.
Under his proposed measure, Ejercito seeks to
replace the mandatory installation of oversized license plates in front of
motorcycles with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) scanner system, which
contains the driver's information.
“Sa halip na front plates, ang aking proposal
ay ang RFID system para na rin mabawasan na o mawala na ng tuluyan ang
harassment sa mga riders lalo na sa mga checkpoints. Mababawasan natin ang
diskriminasyon.”
“The intent of this measure is also to provide
scanners to make it more convenient for both the riding public, the riders, and
the law enforcers.”
This bill also aims to reduce the penalties
stated in the Doble Plaka Law and align them with the penalties imposed on
four-wheeled vehicles, the lawmaker from San Juan added.
As a rider himself, Ejercito believes that the
fines and penalties are excessively high, to the point of being discriminatory
against motorcycle riders.
According to the lawmaker, the fines provided
in the law should be lowered as they are about 10 times higher compared to
those charged against violations committed by drivers of four-wheeled vehicles.
"Ang penalty ay umaabot sa P50,000
hanggang P100,000, na halos katumbas na ng halaga ng motorsiklo ng karaniwang
mamamayan. Rest assured that we will also adjust the fines accordingly into a
more justifiable level, kaya nga po ginawa natin ang mga amendments na ito.”
He also emphasized the importance of
prioritizing the resolution of the motorcycle plate number backlog as a key
step in crime prevention.
“Para sa akin, mas mahalaga na magkaroon ng
plaka ang lahat, at sa aking palagay, ito ay isang malaking suliranin na
kailangan nating agarang solusyunan dahil mas mahalaga na ma-identify ang lahat
ng nagmomotorsiklo. I don’t think any on his right mind would use his personal
motorcycle for any crime,” he said.
“Hopefully, in the future, kapag napondohan na
natin ito, this will also act as an anti-carnapping measure and effectively
prevent numerous crimes. It will be hitting two birds with one stone.”
In line with this commitment, riders group
Kagulong, or Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong, is organizing a Unity Ride against
Cha-cha on Sunday, Feb. 11. Kagulong is a collective of riders dedicated to
promoting the interests and welfare of motorcycle enthusiasts in the
Philippines.
Riders from various clubs will assemble at the
Commission on Human Rights in Quezon City at 9:00 a.m., proceeding with a
motorcade to the People Power Monument.
Ejercito has confirmed his participation in
the Unity Ride, highlighting his solidarity with the riding community and his
dedication to advocating for their rights and interests.
Ejercito hopes for a win-win solution in
introducing proposed amendments to Doble Plaka law.
“Ito po ay commitment ko sa riding community
na akin pong tutuparin para mas maging patas at katanggap-tanggap ang
polisiyang ito sa ating mga riders. Ako po ay kakampi ng riding community.”