Malacañang yesterday urged motorcycle riders to contest before the courts if they think the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act is unconstitutional.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after thousands of motorcycle riders gathered near the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City Sunday for a nationwide “Unity Ride” to protest the measure.
Republic Act No. 11235 requires bigger license plates on the front and back of motorcycles. Violations can lead to penalties of up to P100,000.
Panelo said that riders can always go to the courts if they feel that the law is unjust. However, he said that President Duterte will stand by it.
“They feel it’s unconstitutional? They can always raise that before the courts,” he said. “Of course, President Duterte is standing by it. He has signed it,” he added.
According to Panelo, even the President and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, would have to abide by the law even if they are motorcycle enthusiasts. “Everyone should comply. No exceptions,” he said.
Duterte signed the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act earlier this month that aims to prevent crimes by making number plates more readable from a distance and color-coded based on the country’s regions.
The measure, authored by Sen. Richard Gordon, requires license plates to be readable from 15 meters away, making it easier for law enforcers to apprehend criminals on motorcycles.
However, motorcycle riders are arguing that the law is also unlikely to prevent crime as no criminal would use his own plate number. They are also saying that bigger front plates interfere with the aerodynamics of a motorcycle and may get detached at high speeds or by strong wind.
Motorcycle riders are also unsure if current motorcycle models can be safely modified to accept front plates, especially one as big as proposed in the law.
Section 14 of the new law also states that motorcycle models which do not have the capability to bear the required readable number plate shall not be allowed to be registered with the Land Transportation Office.
The Bureau of Customs is also tasked to bar the importation of motorcycles whose designs cannot conform with the law’s requirements. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
