Lanao del Sur Rep. Mohammed Hussein Pangandaman proposed Sunday the imposition of P500,000 fine against reckless and drunk drivers to avoid tragic loss of lives due to vehicular accidents.
Under House Bill 4706, reckless drivers especially those driving under the influence of alcohol or prohibited drugs shall indemnify their victims amounting to at least half a million pesos.
The measure seeks to add more teeth to Article 2206 of the Civil Code, providing that the amount of damages caused by a crime or a quasi-delict shall be at P3,000.
The law “has been in existence from the time of its promulgation in 1949 and has not been amended since then. Even the Supreme Court, through their decisions noted that the amount provided for in Article 2206 is not enough," Pangandaman said.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has earlier disclosed that from January 2009 up to present, they apprehended 348 drivers for drunk driving, while the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) bared that from January to September this year, they arrested 116 people for committing such offense.
"One could never afford to make any mistake once they are on the road," Pangandaman said.
He said his measure “will make the public more diligent in their actions and accountable for everything that they do and make everyone more responsible stewards of human life.”
Under the bill, the violators shall also be liable for the loss of the earning capacity of the deceased and moral damages may also be demanded by the spouse, descendants and ascendants of the deceased from them.
The House of Representatives recently passed on third and final reading House Bill 4251 that seeks to criminalize the act of driving under the influence of alcohol or liquor. The measure is known as the “Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUIA) Act of 2010.” (By Charissa M. Luci / Manila Bulletin)
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