Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (File photo taken by Bibo NuevaEspaña/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri wants a special law on road rage legislated to protect the public from erring motorists.
Zubiri made this statement during the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.
The probe was prompted by a street confrontation in Quezon City which involved dismissed police officer Willie Gonzales and cyclist Allan Bandiola.
The scene was caught on video and it went viral on the internet.
“We can come up with a special law on road rage so that even if the victim is scared to file a case, it becomes the people of the Republic of the Philippines vs. so and so,” Zubiri said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“[Because of this,] it will become the burden of the government to file the case against these individuals,” he explained.
According to Zubiri, it is unfortunate that Bandiola no longer wants to file a case against Gonzales.
Bandiola told lawmakers he already compromised and settled things with the former cop.
The 63-year-old former law enforcer, on the other hand, admitted to assaulting the cyclist.
But he said he regrets what he has done.
“What we need to do is come up with a policy and, possibly, a special law that will be against road rage on its own,” Zubiri suggested.
Meanwhile, in an ambush interview following the panel’s inquiry, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa told reporters that he is certain that several senators will also submit their own versions of the measure.
“The road rage bill… I know many lawmakers will file that. We will study that and we will craft a proposal,” said dela Rosa.
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