Law signed on bigger plates for motorbikes to prevent use in crimes

A LAW intended to prevent and penalize the use of motorcycles in the commission of crimes by requiring bigger, readable and color-coded number plates and identification marks has been signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Guns-for-hire in the country usually use motorbikes for a fast getaway after a kill. Republic Act No. 11235, the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, was signed by the President on March 8, a copy of which was released by the Palace Thursday. Under the law, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is tasked to issue a readable number plate for every motorcycle. “The LTO shall, in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act, determine the font style and size of the bigger, readable and color-coded number plates: Provided, That the contents of the number plates shall be readable from the front, the back, and the side of the motorcycle from a distance of at least fifteen meters from the motorcycle.” The color coding would serve as an identifying mark per region. “The utilization of voluntary and paid labor from prisoners shall be among the requirements to bid for the procurement of the number plates under this Act,” reads the law, which takes effect 15 days after publication either in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation. — Arjay L. Balinbin