Solon wants to suspend Helmet Law to fight crimes

Zamboanga Representative Celso Lobregat has authored House Bill No. 4438 which aims to suspend Republic Act 10054, or the Helmet Law, in an effort to fight crimes committed by motorcycle riders.

According to the bill’s explanatory note, the H.B. No. 4438 “seeks to allow local government units (LGUs) to suspend the mandatory wearing of motorcycle helmets, amending for the purpose Republic Act (RA) No. 10054, otherwise known as the “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009.””

Under the measure, LGUs with high incidence of crimes committed by motorcycle riders may, upon the recommendation of the local peace and order council, and a duly enacted ordinance, temporarily suspend the Helmet Law in their area of jurisdiction for one year, which can be extended for another period not exceeding one year should the need arise.

“Law enforcers are having difficulty solving crimes perpetrated by motorcycle riders since the perpetrators are wearing helmets which cover their faces,” explained Lobregat in the bill.

However, the problem with H.B. No. 4438 is that it directly conflicts with R.A. 10054, or the Helmet Law, which mandates motorcycle riders to wear standard protective helmets.

But it looks like Lobregat has that one figured out: “Halimbawa, within that year na sinuspend nila [ang Helmet Law], kung talagang tumaas din ‘yung napinsala dahil naaksidente pagkatapos hindi gumagamit ng helmet, at hindi bumaba ang crime incident, then, huwag ituloy.”

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