Double Plates for Motorcycles No Longer Required in the Philippines

The Philippines has recently passed a new law that significantly alters the regulations for motorcycles. The most notable change is the removal of the requirement for motorcycles to have double plates, a provision that has been a source of contention for riders for years. President Bongbong Marcos signed the amended Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act (RA 12209) into law. This amendment also reduces penalties for a range of violations. "We're very grateful for this change," said Atoy Sta. Cruz, Director of the Motorcycle Philippines Federation. "The previous fines were excessively high, and this makes things fairer for law-abiding citizens." The new law reduces the fine for driving without a readable plate to ₱5,000, down from ₱50,000-₱100,000. The penalty for failing to report a lost plate is also reduced to ₱5,000, and the penalty for using a stolen number plate is now ₱20,000. The changes aim to simplify regulations and reduce the burden on riders. While welcoming the changes, some riders expressed concerns about the enforcement of the new law and the potential for misuse. The report concludes with Senator Francis Tolentino's statement that this is a victory for the motorcycle community.