Duterte willing to 'compromise' on law requiring bigger motorbike plates

President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he is willing to strike a "compromise" with motorcycle riders who are opposing the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law that requires bigger license plates.

The president drew applause at the national convention of the  National Federation of the Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines (NFMCP) in Iloilo City when he said that the law's prescribed fine that starts at P50,000 was "too high."

"I will try to convince the LTO (Land Transportation Office) to maybe to hang on, i-suspend ko lang muna. Kasi it is not good, it is dangerous to place another gadget, lalo na, may kanto (plate number)," Duterte added.

Duterte also said he will speak to the bill's author Senator Richard Gordon about his request.

During the ceremony, the President remarked that, in other countries, "Walang plate number sa harap. Diyan lang yan sa likod."

Duterte also said he was "okay" with lowering the fine to at least P10,000.

"I-compromise siguro. Ako, I'm willing, P10,000 to P15,000. Okay na 'yun," he said.

"Kung maaari, go to the barest minimum, it should not be lower than...mga P10,000. Kung ayaw nila, eh 'di P15,000. Mag-haggle nalang ako," he added.

However, as the rider's part of the compromise, Duterte said motorcycle plates should still be larger even by at least one-fourt of the size prescribed by the law.

"As a compromise, ganito, lakihan nalang ninyo ang plate number sa likod by one-fourth...Lakihan mo lang para makita mo talaga 'yung number," he said.

Republic Act 11235 was signed by Durerte on March 8. —Margaret Claire Layug/LBG, GMA News