(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would correct with a compromise the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act which he had recently signed into law, and would just require riders to have bigger plate numbers in the rear of their bikes, and forego front plates that could endanger the safety of riders.
Duterte, who is an avid motorcycle rider himself, said that he understood the concerns of motorcycle riders in the country who had expressed their opposition to the law.
“I really know that what’s bothering you is the plate number,” he told motorcycle riders who attended the 25th National Federation of the Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines (NFMCP) Annual National Convention at the Iloilo Convention Center on Saturday night, April 6.
“I am going to correct that particular legislation with a compromise,” he said.
President Duterte said that he would still require that bigger plates be placed at the back of the motorcycles as this was necessary for easier identification.
“Lakihan mo lang.. yung sa likod (Just enlarge the plates at the back) just to remove the objection,” he said.
The President also told the audience of his adventures in riding a motorcycle around the country, where he said he learned to love the country even more.
“Nung nakita ko yung bayan ko, na-in-love talaga ako sa Pilipinas,” he said.
“Let the miles that you cover attest to the fact that it is indeed more fun in the Philippines. As we drive down the long path ahead, let us demonstrate solidarity as we build a more vibrant and more robust society,” Duterte added, reading the last paragraph of a speech prepared for him, which was the only part he read in his speech.
“Baka nandito yung speechwriter,” he said amid chuckles from the audience.
The Chief Executive is a known motorcycle rider and enthusiast, owning several motorbikes that he used to ride in his younger days and as Davao City mayor.
As a member of Davao City’s On Any Sunday Rider Club, he travelled the entire ‘length and breadth of the country’ and fell in love with the beauty of the Philippines.
-Duterte recounts doctor’s advice after injuries from riding-
During his talk, he also mentioned about the injuries he had suffered while riding a motorcycle, including injuries in the head that caused him to throw up afterwards. This prompted his doctor to advise him to stop riding.
“Sabi nga ng doktor, huwag na, pero kung gusto mong maging inutil, bahala ka,” he recalled.
The two-day national convention of motorcycle clubs from April 5-6, 2019 was hosted by the Iloilo Motorcycle Club (IMC).
-National Unity Ride-
About two weeks before Duterte met with the motorcycle clubs, thousands of motorcycle riders held a National Unity Ride to express their strong opposition to the law, Republic Act 11235, that required motorcycles to have bigger license plates in the front and back of motorcycles. The national unity ride happened on March 24.
Under RA 11235, the Land Transportation Office is required to issue bigger, more legible, and color-coded number plates to be placed on the front and back of every motorcycle.
The plates should be readable from the front, back, and side of the motorcycle from a distance of at least 15 meters. The LTO will also implement a color scheme on the plate numbers for every region.
Under the law, a person driving a motorcycle without a number plate or a readable number plate could be meted a jail term from six months and one day to six years or a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P100,000 or both.
(Eagle News Service)