SB 2555 which amends RA 11235 is approved by the Senate
The Republic Act 11235, commonly known to the motorcycle community as the “Doble Plaka Law” as it require license plates on the front and back of motorcycles, puts heavy penalties and even jail time on motorcycle riders who are caught without a readable license plate.
Yesterday, Senate Bill (SB) 2555, authored by Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, was approved by the Senate on 3rd reading.
“The approval on third reading of Senate Bill No. 2555, or the Amendments to Republic Act No. 11235, otherwise known as the ‘Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act’ is another leap forward towards ending the discrimination against the motorcycle-riding community. We have sent a clear message to our people that we hear and take note of their sentiments,” said Sen. Ejercito through his official social media page.
Amendments to Doble Plaka Law
Under SB 2555, amendments to Sections 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 19 are proposed. For example, Section 5 of the RA 11235 requires a front license plate on the motorcycle. SB 2555 proposes a small RFID sticker instead of a front plate.
In Section 7, SB 2555 proposes an amendment to lower the fines to just PHP 5,000 from the previous PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000 which may include jail time.
As far as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is concerned, SB 2555 proposes that the agency have until December 31, 2025 “to produce, release, and issue the number plates” as required by RA 11235.
For the full text of SB 2555, click here.
“There is nothing wrong with punishing the guilty, but it is also unfair to impose it on an entire sector of society who can also be considered heroes in recent years,” Sen. Ejercito added, recognizing the contribution of delivery riders in moving the economy since the pandemic.
