HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

pate, 30 JUN 2016
Sy

tive: Fl Ppry

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

413

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE TOBIAS “TOBY” M. TIANGCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “[pJublic 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.” (Section 1, Article XI).

Several times in the past, the proliferation of vehicles with protocol plates
has been identified with abusive behavior exhibited by individuals driving or
using these vehicles, whether high ranking government officials or persons
posing as such.

Moreover, it has become more and more difficult for motorists and the
public to identify the individuals concerned, as thousands of protocol plates are
issued to various government officials. For the House of Representatives alone,
there are close to 300 Congressmen, it is impossible for Traffic Enforcement
Agencies Nationwide to ascertain the true identity of the Number “8” Protocol
Plate user,

Public office is a public trust and no legitimate reason exists for the above
ranking government officials, particularly members of the House of
Representatives, to be accorded this privilege that has become prone to abuse
and misuse. As lawmakers, members of the House of Representatives should set
a good example by passing a law that will curtail a privilege presently granted to
them and that would put them on equal status with other vehicles on the road.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of the proposed ry@asure is earnestly
requested.

TOBIAS “TOBY” M. TIANGC


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

413
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE TOBIAS “TOBY” M. TIANGCO

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE ISSUANCE AND USE
‘THE NUMBER “8” PROTOCOL LICENSE PLATES ON
VEHICLES OF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION. 1. Policy. - Members of the House of Representatives, just like all
other public officials have a sworn duty to serve the people and uphold the law.
They should not be entitled to any special privilege in the performance of their
duties,

SECTION 2. Prohibition on issuance of protocol plates to members of the
House of Representatives, - The issuance and use of the number “8” protocol
or courtesy license plates for vehicles of members of the House of
Representatives is hereby prohibited. Alll license plates bearing the number “8”
issued in the past are hereby cancelled, revoked and deemed withdrawn.

SECTION 3. Desistance from Issuance. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the
Land Transportation Office shall forthwith desist from issuing the number “8”
protocol or courtesy license plates for the official use of the members of the
House of Representatives.

SECTION 4. Penalties. -

(a) Any person driving or using a vehicle bearing low-numbered or
protocol or courtesy license plates after the effectivity of this Act
shall, upon conviction, be fined the amount of Pesos: Twenty-Five
Thousand (PhP 25,000.00) or imprisonment of one month and one
day as minimum and six months, as maximum; Provided that, if such
person be a member of the House of Representatives, such penalty
shall be without prejudice to the right of the House of


Representatives to discipline such member under its own rules of
proceedings.

(b) Any official or employee of the Land Transportation Office and any
other person who shall issue or cause the issuance of low-numbered
or protocol or courtesy license plates to members of the House of
Representatives shall be subject to the same penalties provided in
the preceding paragraph.

SECTION 5. 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 and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause - In case any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, such declaration shalll not affect the other remaining provisions,
which shall remain valid.

SECTION 7, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,