Congress Approves Bill Penalizing Act of Throwing Hard Objects at Vehicles

The House of Representatives has unanimously approved on its third and final reading House Bill 7163 that seeks to penalize the act of throwing hard objects at motor vehicles while these are in motion or stationary, with all 171 members present during the session presided by Deputy Speaker Mercedes Alvarez affirming the measure.

According to the bill, "any person who throws stones, rocks, bricks, bottles, pieces of wood or metal, or any other hard object of any kind or character, that damages, ruins, destroys or wrecks the vehicle or causes death or bodily harm to its passengers" shall be penalized as follows:

a) One year imprisonment and a fine of PHP10,000, in addition to the cost of repair of the vehicle;

b) Five years imprisonment and a fine of PHP15,000, in addition to the civil liabilities for medical expenses and rehabilitation, if such act results in any physical injury to a person; and

c) Twenty-five years imprisonment and a fine of PHP100,000, in addition to the civil liabilities if such act results in the death of any person.

In Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas' filing of the bill, the solon--a known car aficionado--stated that, for whatever reason, there are unscrupulous persons who throw hard objects at motor vehicles, particularly public transport plying major thoroughfares, "in the process, accidents result, putting the lives and limbs of passengers and damaging the vehicle itself."

"This practice has to be abated," said Fariñas who further stated that based on the current law, violators can only be charged with with the crime of malicious mischief under Article 327 of the Revised Penal Code, punishable by a light penalty, or worse if the offenders "go scot-free, making the hazardous act a 'habitual past-time.'"

By penalizing the act of throwing stones and hard objects at vehicles and providing stiff penalties for the crime, people will be forewarned of the consequences of such crime, thereby serving as deterrent to future wrongdoers.

"Thus, the well-being of travelers, drivers and owners of vehicles is ensured," Fariñas concluded.