President Duterte has asked Congress to craft a law that would impose stiffer penalties for motorists involved in accidents that result in deaths or injuries.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Saturday that this was one of the Chief Executive's wishes when he met Congress leaders in Malacanang Wednesday.
"Gusto niya sa mga nakaka-aksidente sa daan, 'yong mga nakakasakit, ay bigatan ang penalty (He wanted those involved in road accidents, those who hurt others, be slapped with stiffer penalties)," Sotto said in an interview with radio DWIZ.
Sotto said "nothing is written in stone" yet as far as proposed penalties are concerned, but he said Sen. Panfilo Lacson proposed that vehicle operators be held liable also for the accidents involving their drivers.
"Idamay dapat, panagutin. Kasi ang nangyayari sasabihin ng driver, 'Eh walang preno, eh, nakaaksidente -- mga ganyan (They should also be included in the charges, make them accountable. Because drivers always end up saying 'The brakes failed, it was an accident' -- and the likes)," he said.
"Pinag-aaralan pa namin kung ano ang pwede sa gusto ng Presidente pero more or less 'yan ang suggestion at the moment (We are still studying what could satisfy the request of the President but more or less, that was the suggestion at the moment)," he added.
In a speech last December, Duterte expressed dismay over daily reports of deaths in road accidents due to overspeeding and compared them to a "massacre."
"It's no longer acceptable to me," he said following a road mishap involving a truck in Cardona, Rizal that killed nine pedestrians.
"Itong (This) overspeeding, it has to be controlled kasi marami nang patay (many have been killed), 'di na nakakatuwa (it's not funny). ‘Di na maganda basahin (It's not nice to read). Parang massacre na (It's like a massacre that happens) almost everyday,” he added, asking police to control the speed of vehicles.