BIG PLATES At a Senate forum, the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association shows what the new larger and color-coded license plates will look like. —Marlon Ramos
Sen. Richard Gordon branded as “fake news” the concern of motorcycle riders and manufacturers that the use of bigger license plates at the front and back of their bikes, as mandated by a new law, could endanger their safety.
During a consultation at the Senate on Tuesday, groups of motorcyclists and dealers had warned that metal license plates could break apart due to wind drag whenever a motorcycle was traveling fast, increasing the risk of accidents.
But Gordon, the main proponent of the newly signed Republic No. 11235, or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, said there was nothing in the law that specified the material to be used for the bigger license plates.
Part of lobbying efforts
“That is fake news and part of lobbying efforts to convince people that the law is unfair,” Gordon said in response to the complaints.
The front license plates could be made of any material to be determined by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and could take the form of a sticker, which Gordon said he personally preferred.
He also defended the P50,000 to P100,000 fine for failing to use the bigger, color-coded license plates, saying this was meant to ensure compliance with the new law.
“We’re trying to prevent something really bad,” he said. “Are you trying to avoid the law?”
According to Gordon, the main intent of his law was to put a stop to the killings being done by men on motorcycles.
The bigger, color-coded plates would make it easier for people to identify motorcycles, especially those used in extrajudicial killings, he said.
It would also help motorcycle users as they would be required to report the loss of their license plates to the joint operation center of the LTO and Philippine National Police, he added.
During a dialogue, Sen. JV Ejercito assured the motorcycle riders and dealers that they would be consulted in the drafting of the law’s implementing rules and guidelines.