Labor Group Lauds House’s Recall of ‘8’ Protocol Plates for Equality

Manila, Philippines – The House of Representatives’ decision to recall old “8” protocol plates issued to members of previous Congresses has been welcomed by the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), a labor group advocating for equality on the roads.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jun Mendoza Ramirez, national vice president of FFW, in a statement, expressed support for this move, emphasizing that special plates like “8” represent inequality in society. Ramirez advocated for the recognition of all private vehicles equally on the road, aligning with the principle of equal protection under the law. He further called on the government to improve mass transportation, considering it a critical step towards equal care and treatment for all citizens.

Ramirez urged for just transition and expansion of mass transportation methods, such as train services, electric trams, Light Rail Transit (LRT), and Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) systems. He also called for the suspension of all special license plates that grant privileges to private vehicles, stating that such measures conflict with the principle of equal treatment under the law. According to Ramirez, efficient mass transportation, not special plates, is the solution to heavy traffic challenges faced by all Filipinos.

In a memorandum, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco has ordered the surrender of all old “8” plates. The initiative aims to eliminate spurious, expired, and fake plates before issuing new ones. The “8” car plate is traditionally reserved for vehicles of members of the House of Representatives.