FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
S.B. No. 2590 
Introduced by SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable 
to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with 
patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.' Even thoughtless extravagance for pleasure or display 
during a period of acute public want is prohibited by the law? A simple yet explicitly blatant exhibit 
of this so-called thoughtless extravagance is when vehicles bearing low-numbered car plates literally 
cruise around streets, both public and private, often with utter disregard of traffic rules and 
regulations, and armed with their uniformed escorts, as they expect the "regular" cars to part like the 
Red Sea as they move along. 
Many high ranking government officials and middle-level bureaucrats today are guilty of this 
as they roam our streets like members of royalty in heavily tinted vehicles sporting low-numbered car 
plates. 
According to Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. when he originally filed this piece of legislation 
during the 14th Congress, "These people evoke a false impression that these favored few are exempt 
and insulated from the reach of traffic rules and regulations." 
He stated' further, "there is no 
legitimate reason for ranking government officials to be accorded this kind of special privilege. 
Since they are public servants, they should be at the forefront in observing road regulations that are 
to be followed by all. They should lead by example." 
Thus, the approval of this initiative is earnestly sought. 
1 Sec. 1, Article XI, 1987 Constitution 
2 Art. 25, New Civil Code 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular 'Session 
) 
) 
) 
S.B. No. 2590 
Introduced by SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
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BANNING THE ISSUANCE AND USE OF LOW-NUMBERED 
PROTOCOL LICENSE PLATES ON VEHICLES OF RANKING 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Policy. -The recognition of equal rights for all people is essential to a 
democratic republic. It shall be the policy of the State to promote such equality for the general 
welfare. 
SEC. 2. Ban. -The issuance and use of low-numbered license plates for vehicles of ranking 
government officials are hereby banned. All low-numbered license plates starting from No.2, all the 
way down to the numbers now being assigned to Cabinet members and bureau directors issued in the 
past are hereby cancelled and deemed withdrawn. 
SEC. 3. Desistance from Issuance. -Upon the effectivity of this Act, the Land 
Transportation Office shall forthwith desist from issuing protocol or courtesy, or vanity, or low-
, 
numbered license plates for the official use of high government officials or other persons. 
SEC. 4. Penalties. -Any person driving or using low numbered license plates on his or her 
vehicle after the effectivity of this Act shall, upon conviction, be fined a minimum of Ten thousand 
pesos (PIO,OOO.OO), to maximum of Fifty thousand pesos (FSO,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of one month 
and one day as minimum to six (6) months as maximum. Any official or employee of the Land 
Transportation Office who shall issue or cause the issuance of protocol, courtesy, or vanity, or low 
numbered license plates shall be subject to the same penalties provided in the preceding paragraph. 
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SEC. 5. Exemptions. -The official vehicles of the President and those of representatives of 
foreign states, as provided by any treaty, agreement or protocol sanctioned by international law or 
practice shall likewise be exempted from the ban on the use of protocol plates. These exemptions 
shall not apply to representatives of foreign states or international organizations that do not grant 
Filipino diplomatic representatives similar privileges. 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. -All laws and executive orders, rules and regulations, or any part 
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. -In case any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, 
such declaration shall not affect the other provisions, which shall remain valid. 
SEC. 8. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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