FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SEN~U<: 
S.No. Hj21 
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• 44_" 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Ariicle II, Section 5 provides: 
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and 
property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by 
all the people of the blessings of democracy. 
Crime is on the rise. Carnapping and bank robbery are among the crimes of choice of 
small time and organized criminal syndicates. Criminals resort to different ways and means to 
evade law enforcers in the commission of these crimes. One way to avoid the authorities is 
through the use of devices which obscure or lessen the legibility of plate numbers. 
These devices may also be used to avoid vehicle identification in case of accidents or 
criminal negligence. This bill seeks to address the problems caused by these devices by 
prohibiting its sale and use. 1 
Lw~ 41t.~~ ~y;t~ 
Mr' MIRIAM DEFttSSOR SJ{NTIAfO 
1 This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session 
(1) 


-·~F·-j" 0: 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
t>ii'ii'K;t' I he T!-if 
S~ rWi' rA RY 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN~TE 
S.No. 1621 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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PROHIBITING THE SALE OF MERCHANDISE DESIGNED TO CONCEAL OR OBSCURE 
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LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "License Plate Concealment 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of terms. - As used in this Act, the term-
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(A) "License plate" refers to the regular motor vehicle license plate issued by the Land 
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Transportation Office bearing the standard alphanumeric characters in accordance with 
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Batas Pambansa number 43 and 74; 
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(B) "Office" refers to the Land Transportation Office; 
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SECTION 3. Prohibition on the concealment of license plates. - It shall be unlawful to 
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knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute, use or possess any merchandise, including but not 
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limited to retractable license plate holders, high gloss reflective spray, or anti-photograph license 
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plate cover, that is specifically designed to conceal, degrade the legibility, or otherwise obstruct 
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any part of any marking imprinted upon a vehicle's license plate. 
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SECTION 4. Penalties. - The Office is empowered to establish and assess penalties or 
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fines against the registered owner of a vehicle for violations of this Act. In no circumstance will 
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any penalty or fine exceed P10,000.00. 
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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
(1) 


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SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
(2)