Inihain ni Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco ang isang panukalang magbabawal sa mga miyembro ng Kamara na gumamit ng numero “8” na plaka.

Ayon sa House Bill (HB) No. 7599, masasawata nito ang tila pribilehiyong mayroon ang mga politikong gumagamit ng nasabing plaka.

Base sa nakasulat na explanatory note ng panukala, marami na rin daw kasing insidente kung saan nasangkot ang mga sasakyang may “protocol plates” na nagpakita umano ng mapang-abusong ugali sa kalye.

Giit pa ng kongresista, mahirap din daw tukuyin kung sino ang lulan ng sasakyan dahil halos 300 ang mga miyembro ng Kamara.

“It has become more and more difficult for motorists and the public to identify the individuals concerned, as thousands of protocol plates are issued to various government officials. For the House of Representatives alone, there are close to 300 Congressmen, it is impossible for Traffic Enforcement Agencies Nationwide to ascertain the true identity of the Number ‘8’ Protocol Plate User,” anang kongresista sa panukala.

“Furthermore, the continued issuance and use of Number ‘8’ protocol license plates can create opportunities for unscrupulous individuals to improperly use, borrow, replicate, or falsely claim association with such plates to evade traffic laws, intimidate motorists and traffic enforcers, and gain undue advantage on public roads, thereby undermining public order, road safety, and respect for the rule of law,” dagdag pa nito.

Pagdidiin pa niya, “Public office is a public trust and no legitimate reason exists for the above ranking government officials, particularly members of the House of Representatives, to be accorded this privilege that has prone to abuse and misuse. As lawmakers, members of the House of Representatives should set a good example by passing a law that will curtail a privilege presently granted to them and that would put them on equal status with other vehicles on the road.”

Kung sakaling maisabatas ang panukala, papatawan ng multang aabot sa ₱25,000, o pagkakakulong sa loob ng isang buwan at isang araw (minimum) hanggang anim na buwan (maximum) ang siyang lalabag dito.

Photo courtesy: HOR

Nauna nang isinumite ang panukala noong 2016 ngunit hindi ito umusad o naipasa.

Vincent Gutierrez/BALITA