THE House committee on transportation has approved a measure seeking stiffer penalties against people driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and similar substances or DDD.
The committee, chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, approved House Bill 5 authored by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, and other House leaders led by Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu, which provides the stiffer penalties through an amendment of Section 12 of Republic Act 10586, otherwise known as the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.”
Alvarez said the government needs to strengthen its advocacy on road safety to lessen road deaths attributed to drunk driving. They hope the bill will serve as a deterrent to the commission of the prohibited act and avoid the loss of lives.
Despite the existing penalties under RA 10586, Abu, for his part, said there are still many incidents of injury, death and destruction of property committed by drivers who are under the influence not only of alcohol but also of dangerous drugs.
Records of the Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police showed the number of road accidents due to drunk driving has actually increased from 390 in 2013 to 498 in 2014.
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority reported that from January to July 2015, one of the leading causes of accidents in the country is driving under the influence (DUI). It also said that majority of those involved in these accidents were motorcyclists, resulting in 11,721 motorcycle accidents during the particular period.
Section 5 of RA 10586 provides: “It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances.”
The amendment to Section 12 of RA 10586 provides that if the violation of Section 5 did not result in physical injuries or homicide, the penalty of five months imprisonment and a fine ranging from P30,000 to P100,000 shall be imposed on the driver. The present penalty is P20,000 to P80,000.
If the violation of Section 5 of RA 10586 resulted in physical injuries, the penalty in its maximum period provided in Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code or the penalty provided in the next preceding subparagraph, whichever is higher, and a fine ranging from P150,000 to P250,000 shall be imposed.
The present fine is P100,000 to P200,000.
Lastly, if the violation of Section 5 resulted in homicide, the penalty in its maximum period provided in Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code and a fine ranging from P350,000 to P550,000 shall be imposed. The present penalty is P300,000 to P500,000.