‘Gumagawa ng sariling maligno’: Gordon defends motorcycle law

Sen. Richard Gordon defended Monday a law that requires bigger license plates on the front and back of motorcycles, saying motorists who reject the law are giving foolish arguments. 

Speaking to radio DZMM, Gordon denied that the law requires that license plates in front of motorcycles are supposed to be "as big as TV sets."

He rejected arguments that the bigger license plates would affect the aerodynamics of a motorcycle and may get detached at high speeds or by strong wind. 

"Gumagawa sila ng kanilang maligno. Palagay mo ba maglalagay tayo ng malaking plaka sa harap ng motorsiklo para malipad sa harap nila. Sinasabi nila kasing laki ng television, that is not the truth," he said. 

He said motorcycle riders could simply use stickers or decals as readable plates on the fronts and backs of their motorcycles. Some motorcycle owners, however, do not want stickers on their motorcycles for aesthetic reasons, he noted. "That's just PR," he said. 

He said the law is meant to curb crimes committed by men on motorcycles. 

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month signed the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act that aims to prevent crimes by making number plates more readable from a distance and color-coded based on the country’s regions. 

"Batas ng Kongreso 'yan. Pinirmahan ng the biggest rider in the country, si President Duterte. Mahilig mag-motorsiklo 'yan," he said. 

On Sunday thousands of motorcyclists gathered near the People Power monument in EDSA, Quezon City as part of nationwide "Unity Ride" to protest the law, the violation of which could lead to penalties of up to P100,000.

RADIO DZMM, March 25, 2019