MANILA - The Philippine Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill No. 2555, aimed at amending the contentious "Doble Plaka" Law, which mandates double plate numbers for motorcycles. The bill, passed on Monday with 22 votes in favor, seeks to adjust punitive measures and enhance safety for motorcyclists.
According to Philippines News Agency, the amendments include modifying fines and imprisonment penalties to more reasonable levels and replacing decal plates with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) stickers at the front of motorcycles. This change is intended to address safety concerns regarding the original law's requirements. Tolentino expressed gratitude towards his colleagues for supporting the amendments, emphasizing the necessity to correct what he described as discriminatory provisions in the existing Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa highlighted the Senate's commitment to equitable legislation, asserting that the passage of SB 2555 demonstrates a dedication to removing discrimination against motorists, regardless of the number of wheels on their vehicles. Meanwhile, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito supported the bill, acknowledging that while motorcycles are sometimes used in crimes, the majority of motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens who rely on their vehicles for efficient transportation.
The bill now moves forward in the legislative process, promising a shift towards fairer treatment of motorcyclists under Philippine law.