Tiangco refiles bill banning ‘8’ protocol plates for House members

A measure seeking to prohibit the issuance and use of Number “8” protocol or courtesy license plates for members of the House of Representatives has been refiled by Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco.

In refiling House Bill No. 7599, Tiangco said the proposal is anchored on the constitutional principle that public office is a public trust and that public officials should not enjoy special privileges that place them above the law.

"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," Tiangco said.

The lawmaker previously filed the measure during the 17th Congress, but it was not acted upon at the committee level. He said he decided to refile the proposal in hopes that it will be passed amid ongoing reforms in Congress.

"Kung may no work no pay na, kasama iyan sa reform na kailangan," he stressed, adding that he has never used an “8” plate since becoming a lawmaker.

Tiangco noted that with close to 300 members of the House, it is difficult for traffic enforcement agencies nationwide to verify the true identity of individuals using protocol plates.

"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," he said.

Under the proposed measure, the issuance and use of Number “8” protocol license plates for House members would be prohibited, and all previously issued plates bearing the number would be canceled, revoked, and deemed withdrawn.

The bill would also mandate the Land Transportation Office to immediately stop issuing such plates upon the law’s effectivity.

Violators may face fines of up to P25,000 or imprisonment of up to six months. Officials or employees of the Land Transportation Office, as well as any person who issues or causes the issuance of prohibited protocol plates, would be subject to the same penalties.

Any sanctions imposed on House members would be without prejudice to the chamber’s authority to discipline its members under its own rules.

"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," Tiangco said.