Dingdong violates PNP's 'no plate, no travel' policy

MANILA, Philippines - Movie and television actor Dingdong Dantes may be the face of the government’s effort on disaster preparedness, but he definitely could not be a model for the “no plate, no travel” policy of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG).

Dantes, whose real name is Jose Sixto Dantes, graced yesterday the launching of the nationwide campaign to educate communities, particularly the youth, on disaster preparedness.

The actor hitched a ride with Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo when they arrived at the Camp Crame Elementary School, located in Camp Crame, which houses the PNP headquarters.

During the program, a black Chevrolet Suburban arrived at the school compound, sporting a commemorative plate with the name “Sixto,” Dantes’ given name, on the front bumper. The sport utility vehicle’s rear fender had a regular license plate issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

After the program initiated by the Department of Interior and Local Government, Dantes left the school compound in the Suburban.

Under HPG rules, a vehicle can bear a commemorative plate, provided its LTO-issued plate is also attached and visible.

At the peak of the HPG’s enforcement of the “no plate, no travel” policy, owners of private vehicles were also prohibited from covering their license plates with clear protectors.