Republic of the Philippines YR ECEIVED ~
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City ae 20 i

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8434

Introduced by Representative WES GATCHALIAN

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF COMMEMORATIVE PLATES
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE USE THEREOF

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Batas Pambansa Big. 43, as amended, provides for the issuance of permanent
number plates to all motor vehicles.

However, the Land Transportation Office in many instances and for laudable
and worthy grounds, took exception and allowed the temporary use of
commemorative plates. It cannot be discounted though, that some of these
commemorative plates are being utilized by unscrupulous individuals to escape
violations of law or perpetuate illegal activities.

Commemorative plates are being widely used nowadays with some bearing the
name of government agencies such as the PNP, CIDG, AFP, or DOH. While others
indicate government positions such as PROSECUTOR, COUNCILOR, KAGAWAD and
LAWYER, which clearly suggest that the vehicles are owned by some influential
person whom an ordinary traffic or law enforcer would be wary of apprehending in
case of traffic violations or the Expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction
Program of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

In addition, law enforcement agents also face difficulty in ascertaining the
veracity of the issuance of these plates because there is no way to determine its
authenticity at first glance.


While it is true that the Land Transportation Office had already issued a
memorandum recalling the use of commemorative plates, such recall would be more
meaningful and forceful if it will be institutionalized by a legislative act specially
because of the fact that the Land Transportation Office is now issuing new number
plates under the agency's Motor Vehicle Plates Standardization Program which states
that all plates shall be uniform and designed according to international standards.

This bill therefore seeks to prohibit the manufacture, sale, issue and use of

commemorative plates.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HoUsE BILL No, 8434

Introduced by Representative WES GATCHALIAN

AN ACT

PROHIBITING THE USE OF COMMEMORATIVE PLATES

AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE USE THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. The use of commemorative plates is hereby prohibited subject to

the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 2. Definition. - A Commemorative Plate refers to an issued plate for
cars and motorcycles commemorating historical events, legitimate organizations, and

other occasions issued for a limited period installed at the front portion of a Motor

Vehicle, such as the following:

(A)

(B)

()

{D)

Those that bear the name or logos of organizations, names of places,

and those which commemorate historical events;

‘Those that bear the name or seal of any agency of the government;

‘Those that bear any government position, or profession; or

Any other similar commemorative plate.

SEC. 3. Prohibited Act. - The manufacture, issuance, sale, and use of

commemorative plates are hereby declared unlawful. It shail be uniawful for any

person or business establishment to manufacture, issue, sell or use any

commemorative plate.



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SEC. 4, Penalty. - Any person manufacturing, issuing, selling or using
commemorative plates shall be subject to imprisonment of not less than six (6)
months nor more than one (1) year or a fine of not less than Fifteen Thousand Pesos

(15,000.00) or both, at the discretion of the court.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Land Transportation
Office shall adopt and issue the rules and regulations for the effective implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 6.  Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the
remaining provisions of this Act.

SEC.7. Repeating Clause. - All laws, rules, and regulations, presidential
decrees, letters of instruction and other presidential issuances which are
incompatible or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,