Huli ka!

Shouldn't they be the first ones to follow the letter of the law?
Anyway, wonder how they lost the plate in the first place?

This is the third sighting this month. This guy was seen heading south on SLEX approaching the Alabang viaduct. His license plate was extremely faded but using Photoshop, we were able to make the plate number pop out. Looks like PH-6998.
Lemme see. First, no helmet. Second, the backrider is not from the PNP. Third, the plate number is faded. Three strikes and you're out!

Anyway, there was an old post here regarding a press release of then PNP Chief Avelino Razon regarding the PNP's motorcycle use policy, but the link in that post doesn't seem to work anymore. However, we've managed to capture a screen shot from the Daily Tribune of the same press release so we're posting it here.
Sure hope that the current PNP chief Jesus Verzosa takes action on these guys. They need to shape up if they want our respect.

Saw these guys last Sunday, December 7, on EDSA.
The van, which didn't have a rear license plate, was full of PNP. And the cop trailing them on his bike (license plate no. 4748-PG) didn't have a helmet. Tadtad pa ng police stickers yung mga sinasakyan nila.

Nananawagan po kay Director General Razon. Paki linis naman ng inyong bakuran para makita ng taong bayan na seryoso kayo sa pagpatupad ng inyong tungkulin.

Saw this pickup on Saturday around lunch time on EDSA.How in Heaven's name can a license plate break like this accidentally?

No more phones while driving?
There's a pending bill that proposes a total ban on the use of cellphones while driving. The weird thing about it is that it exempts law enforcers, rescue vehicle drivers (ambulances, fire engines, etc.) and media people. Maybe their training gave them abilities beyond that of the common man.

Actually, the cities of Manila, Makati and Cebu already have regulations banning this, but it is hardly enforced (unless the enforcers really need money). The bill, we believe, seeks to expand coverage to the whole country.

Spycams in Pasay
Pasay City will be installing CCTV cameras on major roads in the city for traffic monitoring. However, Florencio Mateo, chief of the Pasay City Traffic and Parking Management Office, has also said that the cameras will be used to monitor "abusive" traffic enforcers. So, smile everyone! You're on candid camera!

PNP and LTO admits to existence of fake plate syndicate
Seems like the PNP and LTO have caught some of the small fry who are part of a syndicate selling fake license plates right inside LTO's main compound. In a sting operation, the police were able to buy a yellow plate, an 8 protocol plate and a diplomatic plate from this group, each for just P9,000.00, complete with the appropriate LTO documents. A closer inspection of the plates reveal that, although quite similar to legitimate plates, the LTO is able to determine that these were indeed fake (which we suppose would be something that your everyday traffic enforcer would be unable to do).

Kaya pala kumakalat ngayon yung mga special plates sa kalye. They should really start cleaning up their own backyard.

This post is in response to dorele's query (11 Aug 08, 15:25) in the shoutbox:

Hi Dorele,

Unfortunately, we could not find any reference to a "no plate, no travel" policy on the 'net. This leads us to believe that this falls under the no plate violation, which carries a P150.00 fine (for both the LTO and the MMDA). No mention on whether the vehicle can be impounded, though.

As for new vehicles, the car dealers say that the invoice/delivery receipt is valid for seven days from the date of issuance. However, all the government agencies officially claim that invoice/delivery receipt is only valid for the day that the vehicle is to be delivered to the buyer.

Hope this clarifies things somewhat.

The Huli Ka! Team

Anyway, we think this question arose 'cos of MMDA's and LTO's recent push to apprehend those who are violating this policy. What we don't understand is how come it takes sooooo long for the LTO to issue new plates. Can't they just stock up on them? Better yet, why not issue a whole bunch of plates to the dealer based on projected sales? That way, if a buyer walks in, they can actually leave with their new car immediately without having to worry about being stopped by traffic enforcers on their way home. I'm sure one can think of the appropriate controls to ensure that these plates won't be used to legitimize smuggled vehicles. All it takes is a little bit of thinking and a lot of enforcement to make it a reality.

Last Sunday, an SUV bearing an '8' plate rammed and killed a security guard while seriously injuring another near Trinoma mall. However, the owner seems to have illegally obtained the protocol plate as he/she is not a member of Congress. In fact, there was even an attempt to hide the protocol plate when the car was brought to the police station. Fortunately, news cameras recorded the plate before it was removed. See the article here.

Seems like this incident has highlighted the problems that the use of protocol plates have spawned ever since its inception. From the illegal use of the protocol plates by congressmen's (or women's) families, the rampant availability of "fake" protocol plates, and the penchant of those using protocol plates to ignore traffic rules and regulations. Also, it seems that Congress has successfully lobbied to have the name of the district removed from the protocol plate, supposedly to hide their identities from "unsavory" elements. Unfortunately, this has led to the increase in fake plates and the use of such plates in terrorist acts such as the bombing of the Batasan building last year.

Anyway, I hope that the government, be it the LTO, MMDA, PNP, local government, Congress, whoever or whichever, and ALL public officials, learn from this. First, stricter controls on the issuance and use of protocol plates (or even their removal, as proposed on House Bill 2346/Senate Bill 1141) are definitely needed. Second, enforcement of traffic rules and regulations should cover ALL motorists regardless of the type of plates they use (be it green, yellow, blue or red, single digit or the three letter/three digit variety). Third, to all public officials, mahiya naman kayo sa mga mamamayan. You are supposed to be employees of the people and have been chosen to lead us to a better nation. So, please, start leading by example and stop abusing the trust that has been placed upon you.

P.S. Sana naman, this extends to the apprehension of those who have illegally installed blinkers and sirens on their vehicles, as well as those using those LTO, PNO, Congress, etc., stickers.

Sorry for not posting, guys. The whole team has been pretty busy, and it's taking up so much of our time to maintain the blog.

Anyways, we received a few emails regarding the new rules for attaching commemorative plates, so we decided to post an excerpt from the commemorative plate thread on AutoIndustriya:

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The Traffic Management Group (TMG) released yesterday new rules on the use of commemorative plates as part of the government's effort to continue the implementation of its "no plate, no travel" policy.

TMG director Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad said the new rules are part of the amendment of the Department of Transportation and Communications - Land Transportation Office (DOTC-LTO) administrative order governing the use and issuance of commemorative plates.

The TMG said motorists who replace their regular plates with commemorative ones violate the rules. But under the new set of rules, Palad said a "commemorative plate shall be installed in front of a motor vehicle either at the right side or left side of the regular plate. As such the regular plate shall be maintained in the space provided for the purpose. Removal thereof shall be deemed a violation of this order."

The LTO said there are currently only 18 authorized commemorative plates in the country.

Palad said no commemorative plate shall be installed in the rear of a motor vehicle, and the accompanying sticker must be pasted on the upper right hand corner of the front windshield.

Cecille Suerte Felipe

Got this from Autoindustriya.com.

A new commemorative plate from Gawad Pulis Kalinga is now available. Validity is from January 30, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
Are these commemorative plates really good for traffic enforcement or police activities?

Saw this guy in Tramo yesterday afternoon.
I think the plate number is ZBL-558.

Here's a list of valid commemorative plates, which was flashed on a TV report regarding the issue with the BINAY 2010 plate. I believe these were based on LTO's official listing.

ST. SCHOLASTICA CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Valid until June 1, 2008

THE KAWANIS(?) CLUB OF ST. JOHN
Valid until December 31, 2008

UP
Valid until December 31, 2008

LTO 9TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY
Valid until December 31, 2008

CANONIZATION OF MARIE EUGENIE OF JESUS
Valid until December 31, 2008

PGH 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Valid until December 31, 2008

MANILA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Valid until December 31, 2008

PHILIPPINE PRACTICAL SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION
Valid until May 25, 2009

Here's the video:

By the way, the BINAY 2010 plates have not been approved by the LTO, so having one on your car is considered to be a traffic violation.

Rerouting at Ayala Center
Due to a planned construction of an access ramp to Glorietta V, Hotel Drive, the road right in front of Hotel Intercontinental will be reduced to a single lane. Construction will begin on January 21 and is expected to end by the end of of April.

Check out the article for more information on the rerouting.

Binay 2010 commemorative plates not valid in Makati
Mayor Jejomar Binay has announced that the Binay 2010 commemorative plates will not be recognized in Makati City. According to him, he is not in any way connected, nor given consent, to the group that is releasing these plates. He also stressed that the city's traffic code does not recognize ANY commemorative plate and may earn the driver a fine of P2,000.00 and confiscation of the said plate.

Hehehe. Classic guerrilla marketing technique.

MMDA's u-turn slots and concrete barriers make driving instructors' jobs more difficult
Driving instructors are having a difficult time teaching their students how to deal with the u-turn slots and concrete barriers that the MMDA has been setting up all over the metro, since the LTO does not mention these on their standard driver's manual.

Hay naku. How difficult can it be? First, ALWAYS follow the lane lines. Second, ALWAYS stay on the outermost lane (barring the yellow lanes) and transfer to the next innermost lane only if overtaking. Third, ease into the appropriate lane around 200-300 meters when approaching the u-turn, intersection, turn-off, ramp, exit, access road, barriers, whatever that they will be taking (or avoiding, as the case may be). Third, ALWAYS use your signal light when changing lanes. And use it BEFORE you actually change lanes and not during. Fourth, stay on the leftmost lane if turning left on the next intersection, or the rightmost lane if turning right. Fifth, if traffic is merging from two lanes to one, always follow the alternating rule. Sixth, be courteous to other drivers and avoid inconveniencing others. Last, the pedestrian always has right of way, even if they are jaywalking.

Just imagine how much better driving will be if all drivers follow these simple rules.

If your car is pending registration, where's your conduction sticker?

Saw this vehicle (is it one of those old Toyota FJ-40's?) on EDSA earlier this evening. Walang plaka sa likod.
Kasama 'ata nung dalawang armored car, nasa gitna kasi nila.

Updated list, compiled this from this thread on AutoIndustriya.com's forum.

LUZON MOTORCYCLISTS FEDERATION INC.
Valid until December 31, 2007

ST. SCHOLASTICA'S COLLEGE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Valid until June 1, 2008

LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE 95TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY
Valid until July 31, 2008

CANNONIZATION OF MARIE EUGENIE OF JESUS
Valid until December 3, 2008

KIWANIS CLUB OF ST. JOHN
Valid until December 31, 2008

PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL100TH ANNIVERSARY FOUNDATION
Valid until December 31, 2008

MANILA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Valid until December 31, 2008

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Valid until December 31, 2008

Not really sure what happened to the Assumption College one, so don't quote me on this one.

Anyways, there are some rules included in the thread, so I suggest you read it by following the link.

Did you know that there is a pending bill at the Senate to ban the use of low-numbered vanity (or protocol or courtesy) plates for all government officials below the president?

Here's an extract from the bill's cover page:

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.

Click here to see the bill in full detail. And here's the link to the Executive Order governing the irissuance.

Dapat 'ata ma-prioritize 'to ng senado at kongreso. It's small changes such as these that will show the people that these lawmakers are really serious in making life better for their constituents, not just for themselves. Leadership by example should be their new motto!

Compiled this from a thread on AutoIndustriya.com's forum.

KIWANIS ASIA PACIFIC COMMEMORATIVE PLATE
Valid until March 10, 2008

ST. SCHOLASTICA'S COLLEGE COMMEMORATIVE PLATE
Valid until June 2008

ASSUMPTION COLLEGE COMMEMORATIVE PLATE
Valid until December 3, 2008

PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL COMMEMORATIVE PLATE
Valid until December 8, 2008

LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE COMMEMORATIVE PLATE
Valid until April 2008

For the uninformed, note that having commemorative plates DOES NOT exempt the vehicle from number coding.

Saw this car on EDSA Northbound at around 1:49pm.

Since I started driving again, I was surprised to see that the use of tinted plate covers have gone down tremendously. Pero meron pa rin konting matitigas ang ulo, kagaya nito'ng Hyundai Starex.
This was taken around 2:49pm, heading northbound on EDSA right beside the Ortigas MRT station.

One of the darkest plate covers I've seen. Couldn't even make the plate number come out via Photoshop.
Anyway, this was taken in Ayala Alabang at around 9:48am.