A new law recently signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. aims to crack down on motorcycle-related crime by imposing heavier fines for using stolen motorcycle license plates.
Republic Act No. 12209, known as “An Act Rationalizing the Safety Measures and Penalties relative to Motorcycle Operation,” amends Republic Act No. 11235, or the “Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.”
Section 6 of RA 12209 states that “without prejudice to criminal prosecution for violation of existing laws, the use of a stolen number plate or readable number plate in a motorcycle shall be punished with a fine of not more than P20,000.”
The new law also introduces other key provisions:
- Conditional Ownership in Dealership Sales: Requires a written agreement, specifying that the seller retains ownership until full payment, while allowing the buyer to use the motorcycle.
- Repossession Reporting: Mandates dealers to report repossessions to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The LTO will revert the motorcycle registration to the dealer and mark the unit as under storage. Dealers must also submit an annual report on repossessed units. Failure to comply incurs a fine of up to PhP5,000.
- Prohibition of Tampered Plates: Prohibits erasing, tampering with, or using a fake or altered motorcycle plate, which is punishable by six months to two years in prison, a fine of up to PhP10,000, or both.
- Penalties for Illegal Plate Transactions: Imposes the same penalties on those caught knowingly buying or selling tampered, altered or fake motorcycle plates.
The law is intended to enhance safety measures and deter criminal activities involving motorcycles.
