Law reducing penalties for erring motorcycle riders, owners signed

National

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS and owners will now face lighter penalties for registration and number plate violations under a new law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The new law sends relief to millions of Filipinos who rely on motorcycles for daily transport and livelihood.

Republic Act No. 12209, which amends the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act (RA 11235), was signed into law on May 9 and made public through the Official Gazette on Thursday, May 15.

The law reduces fines and removes jail terms for several offenses related to motorcycle registration and number plates. These revisions were long sought by riders who viewed the old penalties as excessive and discriminatory.

Under RA 12209, first-time and subsequent violations related to registration and number plates now carry lower financial penalties.

For instance, failing to register a motorcycle or transfer its ownership now results in a P5,000 fine, down from the previous P20,000 to P50,000 fine and possible imprisonment of up to six years and one day.

Motorcyclists caught driving without a number plate, or with an unreadable one, will also pay a lower fine of P5,000.

Previously, this offense was penalized with a steep P50,000 to P100,000 fine.

Failure to report a lost, stolen, or damaged number plate within 72 hours is now penalized with a P5,000 fine instead of the former P20,000 to P50,000.

The law also imposes lighter penalties for serious violations, such as tampering with or using fake plates.

Under RA 12209, these now carry a fine of P10,000 plus imprisonment of six months and one day to two years, significantly less than the original penalty of six to 12 years in prison and fines of P50,000 to P100,000 under RA 11235.

Possessing or using a stolen number plate will also be penalized with a fine of less than P20,000, without the lengthy jail term previously required.

Motorcycle owners have until the end of 2025 to comply with the updated requirements.

Those with outdated or unreadable plates must renew their registration and secure new number plates that comply with standards set in the law's forthcoming implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

The new number plates must be bigger, color-coded, and readable from at least 15 meters behind the motorcycle. Font size and style will also be standardized in the IRR, which will be released in the coming months.

RA 12209 is the product of a bicameral consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2555 and House Bill No. 11113. Lawmakers behind the measure said it aims to make enforcement fairer, especially to law-abiding motorcycle riders who had long complained that the original law was overly punitive.

The changes are seen as a balancing act between deterring motorcycle-related crimes and acknowledging the rights and realities of ordinary motorists.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) are expected to issue the IRR within 90 days to guide the implementation of the new law.(TGP)