MANILA -- In an attempt to curb crimes perpetrated by criminals riding-in-tandem, a lawmaker has filed a bill that will prohibit motorcycle riders from wearing helmets.
Zamboanga Representative Celso Lobregat, author of House Bill No. 4438, or the Helmet Ban Bill, said this will give local government units the opportunity to temporarily ban the use of helmets within their jurisdiction.
The proposed bill goes against Republic Act 10054, or the Helmet Law, which requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets for their protection and safety.
"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," Lobregat argued.
The no-helmet policy has already been implemented in Dagupan City and Cotabato City, while a new riding-in-tandem policy has been implemented in Mandaluyong City supposedly to help lessen crimes. --
Failon Ngayon, ABS-CBN, September 13, 2014