Duterte Signs Law Requiring Bigger Motorcycle License Plates

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law requiring bigger and more readable motorcycle license plates in order to prevent the use of such vehicles in the commission of crimes.

In Republic Act 11235 or the 'Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act' signed by Duterte on March 8 and released to the media on Thursday, March 14, the law mandates the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to produce bigger, readable, and color-coded number plates readable from the front, back, and side of the motorcycle from a distance of at least 15 meters.

"It is hereby declared the policy of the State to secure and safeguard its citizenry from crimes committed with the use of motorcycles," the law reads.

The new law will penalize motorcycle riderss not using the readable plates with prision correccional (imprisonment between six months and one day to six years) as stated in the Revised Penal Code or pay a fine of not less than PHP50,000 but not more than PHP100,000 or both.

Under the new law, law enforcers can apprehend motorcycle riders and seize their vehicles if it does not have the proper number plate. The motorcycle's owner can only retrieve it after complying with the requirement.

Owners, drivers or passengers of the motorcycles, which participated in the commission of a crime, would be punished by reclusion temporal (imprisonment between 12 years and one day to 20 years) or reclusion perpetua (imprisonment for at least 30 years).

If a motorcycle is used in the commission of a crime constituting light felony, the owner, driver, backrider or passenger would be punished by prision correccional to prision mayor (imprisonment between six years and one day to 12 years).

If the unlawful use of motorcycle would result in death or serious physical injuries, the penalty of reclusion perpetua would be imposed.

The newly-signed law orders the LTO to conduct consultations with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders for the Implementing Rules and Regulations.