Court Grants Request to Take RA 11235 to Injunction Proceedings

Last July, on behalf of Riders of the Philippines (ROTP), GIA Law filed a case against RA 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act. The court hearing was then held today, October 6, and according to key witness Jobert Bolaños of ROTP and MRO, the court granted their request to move forward with injunction proceedings.

Petitioners Rod Cruz and Jodel Dianito, key witness Jobert Bolaños and counsellors Atty. Ilagan, Atty. Romano and Atty. Cantos were set to take the stand.

Two days before, Rod Cruz of ROTP and Arankada expressed his thoughts regarding the hearing. “Me and two others (Jobert Bolaños and Jodel Dianito) will take the witness stand as we face the biggest confrontation of all Certoriari case and filing of T.R.O. against RA 11235. This will be my first time also in a court battle though our attorneys will do most of the talking. Siyempre nandun pa din yung konting nerbyos na sana magampanan natin at libo-libong riders ang umaasa para sa ating paninindigan. Hiling lang po namin ay ang inyong panalangin at tiwala, nawa’y mapagtagumpayan natin ito,” Cruz shared in his facebook account. He added, “We’re doing this para sa mga kapwa naming riders na tunay na nagmamalasakit at nagmamahal.”

“With the respondent’s absence in this hearing, QC RTC branch 220 granted the petitioners request to take the case into the injunction proceedings. TRO no longer necessary since LTO already deferred the implementation of several provisions affecting enforcement and apprehensions. Injunction hearing set to November 24, 2020,” stated Bolaños in his facebook post today.

Signed into law on March 8, 2019, Republic Act 11235 commonly known as Doble Plaka Law is an act preventing and penalizing the use of motorcycles in the commission of crimes by requiring bigger, readable and color-coded number plates and identification marks. The Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11235 were released on May 21, 2020. The motorcycle community has expressed disagreement with the said law citing it as discriminatory to motorcycle riders and expressing concern if this will really help in preventing crimes. The said law also imposes hefty fines and has strict registration and transfer of ownership procedures. ROTP is determined to fight for the welfare of riders and filed a case against RA 11235 which the group believes has already unjustly profiles motorcycle riders immediately as possible criminals.

photos by Jobert Bolaños and Rod Cruz

Thank you for visiting insideracing.com.ph. You may express your thought below through the comment section. You may also follow us on Facebook, on Instagram @Insideracingnation or on our YouTube channel.