Tolentino to LTO: Why penalize motorists over your incompetence?

SENATE majority leader Francis Tolentino yesterday called on the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to resolve the backlog on license plates before it starts apprehending motorcycle riders and motorists using temporary improvised license plates.

In a statement, Tolentino said riders and motorists should not be penalized for something beyond their control since it is the responsibility of the LTO to produce license plates.

“It’s not their fault if the government cannot produce enough official plates – which is the responsibility of the LTO,” Tolentino said.

He made the point after the LTO issued a directive restricting the use of temporary improvised plates for motorcycles and motor vehicles which took effect on September 1.

Tolentino said he does “not see the sense in apprehending and fining riders and motorists using temporary plates that do not comply with the LTO’s directive.”

“The LTO must resolve its own backlog in issuing official license plates,” he added.

According to the LTO, the backlog in official license places totaled 12,548,909 as of last February.

Rep. Bonifacio Bosita (PL-1-Rider) said his source at the LTO said the backlog is at least 9 million.

Under the LTO’s VDM-2024-2721, all motor vehicles and motorcycles using non-LTO issued plate numbers, except when authorized and specified by the memorandum, shall be apprehended and appropriate legal actions and penalties in accordance with existing laws and regulations imposed.

Tolentino said the LTO should give motor riders a “breather” and wait for the President to sign into law Senate Bill No. 2555, which seeks to amend controversial provisions of RA 11235 or the Doble Plaka Law that discriminate against motorcycle riders and owners
The Senate approved SBN 2555 last July 29. Its counterpart measure in the House of Representatives has hurdled the committee level and will soon be calendared in plenary for the second and third reading.