Tolentino: Suspension of LTO plate deadline a victory for riders

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino joins hundreds of motorcycle riders in demanding the release of long overdue licensed plates.

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino said that the indefinite suspension by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of its controversial circular prohibiting the use of temporary license plates by December 31 this year is a “victory for motorcycle riders.”

“The suspension of the deadline by LTO ‘until further notice’ provides relief for motorcycle riders affected by the massive license plates backlog. It will allow them to go about earning a living without the threat of being apprehended and fined,” said Tolentino.

READ: Tolentino joins clamor for LTO to release long-delayed motorcycle plates

On Tuesday, the senator met with hundreds of members of the Motorcycle Taxi Community Alliance (MTCA), who held a protest in front of the Senate to air their grievances.

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino

According to MTCA, some of their members have yet to receive their official license plates for several months, and some even for years, since purchasing their motorcycle.

Tolentino, who previously called on the LTO to extend its September 1 deadline, which the latter decided to defer to December 31, committed to intercede on behalf of the riders.

“The indefinite suspension is clearly a victory for millions of motorcycle riders. But deferring the memorandum is not enough. The LTO must be definite about its pronouncements on when it could finally resolve its backlog. It’s a disservice to keep the public always guessing, and to keep setting unrealistic deadlines for motorists’ compliance, when the agency itself cannot meet its own targets,” he concluded.