Out-of-touch elitist lawmakers

While commuting around Metro Manila especially on the dreaded Edsa, we can expect a familar scenario: “Wang wang” or “sahod” cops push their way through traffic to assist their principal and bodyguards to their destination quickly.

I thought this practice was already deemed illegal by the past administration, but I was wrong.

Recently, lawmakers, without any consultations, passed a bill that was then signed by the President to require bigger double plates for motorcycles.

Most motorcycles are not designed to have a front plate because of the limited space, and it will get in the way of the headlights in most cases.

Putting a new bracket stable enough will be difficult, since it was not in the original engineering of the vehicle. So, putting a plate on the front is very impractical, to say the least.

Motorcyclists are required to apply for this new requirement by June 30; failure to comply means imprisonment or a fine of P20,000 to P50,000!

After this law takes effect, noncompliance means another imprisonment or fine of P50,000 to P100,000. This new law smells of corruption.

Who are these lawmakers serving — the masses who toil or the appointed kings and organized gangsters in government? Why can’t lawmakers criminalize the hate speeches of this President? Hold those in power accountable instead.

JOSE SANTAMARIA, j_e_santamaria@hotmail.com