MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Monday urged motorcycle riders’ groups to challenge the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act before the Supreme Court (SC) after they tagged it as unconstitutional and discriminatory.
Motorcycle riders also staged a “Unity Ride” on Sunday to protest the new law.
READ: Double plates law is ‘unconstitutional’ – motorcyclists
“Why? What’s their argument? If they feel it’s unconstitutional, they can always raise that before the courts,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
Riders from different motorcycle groups gather at the People Power Monument at the corner of Edsa and White Plains Road on Sunday morning, March 24, 2019, before the start of the Unity Ride to protest bigger license required by theMotorcycle Crime Prevention Act INQUIRER.NET / FAYE ORELLANA
Duterte, a known motorcycle enthusiast, signed into law a measure seeking to prevent the use of motorcycles in crimes by requiring bigger, readable, and color-coded license plates.
The law stipulates that the new plates should be big enough to be read from a distance of at least 15 meters.
READ: Duterte signs law requiring bigger, color-coded license plates for motorcycles
“Everyone should comply. No exceptions,” Panelo said. / gsg