Estrada hit for proposed ban on riding in tandem on bikes

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada shows a sample of the Orange Card during the launch of the city’s revised health program Friday. KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines–Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s plan to ban riding in tandem motorcycles may be unconstitutional, an anti-crime crusader said Friday.

Dante Jimenez, founding chair of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, said in an Inquirer Radio 990 AM interview that the Philippine Constitution grants citizens access to transportation.

Jimenez cited Article III, Section 6 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states that “the right to travel (shall not) be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.”

“That’s a violation of free access to transportation. Nasa Constitution natin ‘yan. Hindi mo pwedeng tanggalin sa ordinaryong mamamayan, (It’s in the Constitution. You cannot just remove that from ordinary citizens),” Jimenez said, referring to the proposed ban.

Estrada bared the plan Friday during the 113th anniversary of the Manila Police District (MPD), saying this is to enforce a law against criminals using motorcycles to escape pursuing police.

Jimenez merely scoffed at Estrada’s proposal as part of a “movie script.”

“Pang-script lang ‘yan. Pampelikula. (That’s only part of a movie script). How can you deny a person of (his right?),” he asked.

Instead of banning riding in tandem, Jimenez proposed the use of vests or helmets printed with the vehicle’s plate number for the police to get leads in crimes.

The Land Transportation Office should also set up checkpoints to verify official receipts (OR) and car registration (CR) of motorcycle riders, he added.

“Hindi porke mayroon kang naka-angkas, miyembro ka ng riding in tandem. (It doesn’t mean you’re a member of a riding-in-tandem group if you have a passenger behind you). Huwag natin i-label, (Let’s not label them), we have to be sensitive to people who can’t afford a car,” Jimenez said.