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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tulfo wants up to P1-M fine for drunk drivers, plus 2-year suspension of driver's license

Tulfo wants up to P1-M fine for drunk drivers, plus 2-year suspension of driver's license

Published Feb 14, 2024 08:03 am

At A Glance

  • Senator Raffy Tulfo has filed a measure that seeks stricter penalties for drivers who get caught under the influence of alcohol.

Senator Raffy Tulfo has filed a measure that seeks stricter penalties for drivers who get caught under the influence of alcohol.

In filing Senate Bill (SB) No. 2546, Tulfo noted that despite the passage of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, drunk driving has been increasingly rampant in past years.

The proposed measure said that if the violation resulted in homicide, the driver will face a fine ranging from ₱500,000 to ₱1,000,000, while the driver’s license shall also be confiscated and suspended for a period of 24 months.

He shared that the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) Law Enforcement Service-Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Enforcement Unit responded to 402 road crash incidents from January to August 2022. A total of 353 of the drivers involved in these incidents tested positive for alcohol intoxication.

Additionally, according to the PNP Highway Patrol Group, the number of road accidents caused by drunk drivers rose to 59 incidents or at least 90 percent in November 2022, compared to the 31 incidents recorded in October of the same year.

Citing a particular case, Tulfo recalled that in November last year, a pickup truck driver, identified as Alyssa Mae Pacrin Abitria, caused a three-vehicle wreck in Calamba City, Laguna. The accident resulted in five fatalities namely, spouses Gilbert Palupit and Aileen Palupit, and three of their children.

It was noted by police investigators that Abitria reeked of liquor; however, her alcohol test came out negative. But Police Deputy Chief Major Aguilar explained the “negative” result may have been due to the test being conducted a day after the incident.

Tulfo lamented that even though Abitria faced multiple charges such as reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, multiple damage to properties and violations under Republic Act (RA) No.10586, she was released on bail amounting to a mere ₱120,000.

“There is an urgent need to pass legislation that calls for stricter penalties on driving under the influence. No one should ever experience the pain and suffering felt by the Palupit family, and all the other families victimized by one person’s poor decisions,” he said.

Related Tags

Land Transportation Office (LTO) anti-drunk driving law Senator Raffy Tulfo Drunk driving
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