House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez has asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to remove the comprehensive driver’s education (CDE) requirement for drivers renewing their license.
In filing House Resolution No. 2325 last Friday, the Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district representative said that the CDE “will be an additional expense for the Filipino people” and “unnecessary burden to the driving public.” Rodriguez added that the LTO should not invoke Republic Act No. 10930 saying, “there is no provision in the law which explicitly states that a certification for a CDE is required for renewing a driver’s license.” “The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that the spring cannot rise higher than its source and implementing rules must conform to the language of the law,” the CDO congressman said.
To avoid any confusion on the law, Rodriguez also filed last Friday House Bill No. 10430 which repeals relevant sections of RA 10930 that the LTO is enforcing as the legal basis for the CDE requirement.
The Mindanao solon said the CDE is free of charge if done through the LTO website but when obtained from LTO-accredited driving schools it will cost P1,000 to P3,000. Rodriguez noted that this could be another source of red tape and harassment.
The lawmaker warned the LTO that its requirements like vehicle emission testing have been a source of corruption and controversy especially if they are outsourced to private contractors.
Rodriguez also called on the Lower House to look into the CDE requirement while advising the LTO to properly explain their basis for imposing the said requirement and to prove that the correct legal processes were complied with in all steps of the preparation process. (Melvin Sarangay)