FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No, __ 17

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to prohibit the issuance of low-numbered protocol or courtesy or
vanity plates for high ranking government officials.

The Mandate of The Constitution cannot be over-emphasized. "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.

Many high ranking government officials and middle-level bureaucrats today roam
our streets like members of royalty in heavily tinted vehicles sporting low-numbered
car plates. They evoke a false impression that these favored few are exempt and
insulated from the reach of traffic rules and regulations.

‘These low-numbered car plates smack of delusions of grandeur.

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.

Hence, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

MAXIMO’B. sen, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

: WAZ
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

AN ACT
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cancelled and deemed withdrawn.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 (F10,000.00), to maximum of Fifty
thousand pesos (F50,000.00) 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.

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.