Motor vehicles involved in accidents resulting to death or serious physical injuries to any person will be impounded under a bill that won the unanimous approval of the House Committee on Revision of Laws on Thursday.

Authored by Deputy Speaker and 1-SAGIP Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, House Bill 152 seeks to amend pertinent provisions of Republic Act 3815 or the Revised Penal Code.

The bill approved by the revision of laws panel chaired by Zambales Rep. Cheryl Deloso Montalla who also presided over the committee hearing.

HB 152 directs the impoundment of land transport vehicles that are involved in vehicular  accidents that have caused the death or serious injury of pedestrians, commuters or by-standers.

However, the bill also provides that impounding vehicles may be avoided if the vehicle owner is able to post a cash bond of at least P500,000 as security “for the satisfaction of any judgment that may be rendered by the court.”

In filing the bill, Marcoleta stressed that provisions of HB 152 are in consonance with the policy of the state to promote social justice in all phases of national development, adding that the value of life and dignity of every person is guaranteed under state policy.

“This proposed bill seeks to protect the ordinary Filipino, the “un-vehicled” urban poor who merely rely on public transport in the course of earning their living,” explained Marcoleta, referring to pedestrians, commuters and innocent by-standers.

“More often than not, the consequential damages awarded are delayed by protracted appeals or could no longer be enforced because by the time judgement is rendered, the perpetrator (s) as well as the owner (s) and/or operator(s) of said vehicle, are left with no assets which could satisfy the adjudged civil damages sustained by the victim,” said Marcoleta.

Marcoleta argued that the requirement of a cash bond, rather than a surety bond, further strengthens the right of the aggrieved victim in the event of an award. 

The bond would help the victim enforce his right against the defendant, or surety companies which customarily raise several defenses against the execution of judgments.