House OKs bill making drunk driving a crime

MANILA, Philippines -  The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure criminalizing drunk driving. 

House Bill 425, authored by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was approved by 240 lawmakers Tuesday night.                                                                                              The bill proposes a graduated fine of as much as P20,000 on persons caught driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicating substances.                         

The bill is co-authored by Representatives Diosdado Macapagal-Arroyo (Camarines Sur); Emmelilne Aglipay (DIWA party-list); Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (Pasay City); Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar); and Arnulfo Go (Sultan Kudarat).

In his sponsorship speech, Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, chairman of the House committee on transportation, said the approval of the measure should be a strong statement against drunk driving.

“Approval of the bill is a major step towards making our roads safe for the general public,” he said.

Arroyo welcomed the quick approval of the bill she filed last year and thanked her colleagues.

“This measure will not only save lives and make our roads safer, but also bring to our land the strict rules applied in developed countries. With these standards, we promote responsible driving and we can travel more safely,” said Arroyo’s spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn.

The bill allows a law enforcement officer to subject a person to sobriety tests if he believes the driver is intoxicated.        

If the driver is suspected of having used a dangerous drug or banned substance, the law enforcement officer will bring the suspect to the police station for desktop drug testing.

Drivers involved in vehicular accidents resulting in loss of lives, physical injuries or damage to property will also be subjected to chemical tests.

Evardone said refusal of a driver to be subjected to examinations will be a reason for law enforcement agencies to confiscate and automatically revoke the suspect’s driver’s license.

The Land Transportation Office is ordered to acquire sufficient breath analyzers and desktop drug testing kits within four months upon approval of the bill into law.

Under the measure, first-time offenders would be fined P5,000 and their licenses suspended for a month; for the second offense, P10,000 and two months suspension; third offense, P15,000 and three-month suspension and succeeding offenses, P20,000 and automatic revocation of driver’s license.

All offenders will be required to render community service for a month.

Drivers caught under the influence of dangerous drugs will be fined P10,000 and their license automatically revoked.