A WEEK after President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III declared his anti-siren policy, a Cagayan De Oro lawmaker filed a bill declaring the use of sirens and other similar gadgets as unlawful act.
Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, through House Bill 941, stated that such gadgets should only be attached and used by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances.
He noted that only the President, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court should be allowed the use of sirens to avoid traffic.
The bill was co-authored with Rufus's brother and his former chief-of-staff, Abante Mindanao (Abamin) party-list lawmaker Maximo Rodriguez.
If the bill is passed into law, persons caught using, selling, and distributing the devices shall be held liable and suffer penalties of imprisonment for six months and a fine of no less than P100,000.
The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group has confiscated close to 300 sirens since President Aquino made his speech during his inauguration.
The Cagayan de Oro lawmaker also filed House Bill 940, banning the issuance and use of low-numbered protocol license plates on vehicles of ranking government officials.
All low-numbered license plates starting from No.6 all the way down to the numbers assigned to bureau directors issued in the past are should be withdrawn and cancelled, the bill cited.
"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," said Rodriguez. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)