Gordon criticizes LTO slow implementation of Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday resumed hearing on the alleged anomaly in the implementation of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.

Committee chairman Senator Richard Gordon said implementation of the law had clearly been delayed.

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“Ang LTO walang ginawa kundi mag-delay. Delayed in the release of motorcycle plates, delay in establishment of LTO-PNP control center, lahat delay. Delayed lahat. ‘Yung law natin nagawa noon pang 2019 hanggang ngayon hindi pa napapatupad,” he said.

In the timeline presented by Gordion, March 8, 2019, the law was signed. On March 14, 2019, it was published in the Official Gazette and became effective on March 29, 2019. On May 11, 2020, the implementing rules and regulations were signed or 14 months after the law was signed. December 31, 2019, is the deadline for the Land Transportation Office to issue the license.

Former Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya attended the hearing.

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Gordon accused him that during their tenure, they were bidding even though they did not have funds, something that Abaya denied.

“May item, may pondo sa General Appropriations Act. At noong inumpisahan ang procurement itinanong ng lto sa DBM kung kailangan ng multi-year obligation allotment. Ang sagot ng DBM sa LTO, hindi nyo kailangan dahil ang paggawa ng plaka ay bahagi ng inyong organic functions,” said Abaya.

Gordon criticizes LTO slow implementation of Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act

He also said that there is a provision in the national budget that can use income provision, so he continued with the project.

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Gordon also criticized the scheme now being implemented by motorcycle dealers where motorcycles that are not paid are immediately towed. They also do not accept cash payments and prefer an installment basis only.

Gordon also clarified that the Department of Trade and Industry has already issued an order prohibiting motorcycle sellers from the installment-only scheme.

That is, if the motorcycle is paid for immediately in full, it must be allowed.

Gordon also cited cases of crimes committed by riding-in-tandem that he said occurred due to failure to enforce the law.

From January 1 to July 7, he said 152 victims, of which 125 were killed, 25 were injured, and 2 were not injured by riding-in-tandem criminals.

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