Gordon: Double plates law can’t be suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The law requiring bigger and color-coded number plates for motorcycles can be amended but it cannot be suspended, Senator Richard Gordon said on Monday.

“Hindi pwedeng suspendehin ang batas. Batas na, pinirmahan na niya ‘yan e,” Gordon, proponent of the law, said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer.

(You can’t suspend a law. It’s already a law, he already signed it.)

The senator was still reacting to the President’s pronouncement over the weekend that he would suspend the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, noting the dangers of requiring motorcycles to have two plate numbers on its front and back.

“I will try to convince the Land Transportation Office to hang on it. I will suspend it,” said Duterte.

The President also noted the hefty fine of P50,000 for violators and proposed to lower it to just P10,000 to P15,000.

But Gordon thumbed down the proposal.

“Hindi pwede, batas na ‘yan e. Pwede nating i-amend next year,” he said.

(That can’t be, it’s already a law. We can amend it next year.)

The senator justified the need to impose heavy fines for violators, noting the number of reported deaths committed by riding-in-tandem gunmen.

Gordon, nevertheless, reiterated his readiness to meet with Duterte to discuss the law.

READ: Gordon to discuss with Duterte new motorcycle plates law

And if the President would insist on suspending the law, the senator said he would remind the Chief Executive of his sworn duty to “execute all laws and to do justice to every man.”

“Hindi ba tinitira nga siya sa ICC, na ang daming pinapatay, karamihan nang pinapatay, naka-motorsiklo, extrajudicial killings…o, may ginawa ngayon ang gobyerno, hindi na basta makakapatay ‘’yang mga yan, mahahabol na. Pabor pa sa kanya yun eh,” he said.

(Wasn’t the ICC hitting at him for the numbers of people being killed, mostly by those riding-in-tandem or extrajudicial killings… now that the government is doing something, these suspects can’t just easily kill people; they can now be chased down. This law is in favor of him.)

Duterte has been charged with murder and crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.

READ: 2 complaints vs Duterte on drug war under ICC preliminary examination

Gordon reiterated that the new law is not bad as he only wants motorcycle users to be safe on the road. /je