House OKs measure seeking stiffer penalties vs. DUI on final reading

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the measure seeking stiffer penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs.

Voting 203-0-0, House Bill 8914 or "An Act Providing for Stiffer Penalties for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs and/or Other Similar Substances, Amending For the Purpose Republic Act No. 10586, Otherwise Known as the "Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013," was approved.

The measure wants stiffer penalties for drivers found to have been driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and/or similar substances.

The proposed penalties are as follows:

• If the violation of Section 5 did not result in physical injuries or homicide, the penalty of six months and a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 shall be imposed;
• If the violation resulted in physical injuries, the penalty provided for in the applicable paragraph of Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code, in its maximum period, or the penalty provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, whichever is higher, and a fine ranging from P150,000 to P250,000 shall be imposed; and
• If the violation resulted in homicide, the penalty provided in Article 249 of the RPC, in its maximum period, and a fine ranging from P350,000 to P550,000 shall be imposed.

Furthermore, the non-professional driver's license of the violator shall be confiscated and suspended for a period of 18 months for the first conviction and perpetually revoked in the second conviction, the bill said.

If it is a professional driver's license, it will be perpetually revoked in the first conviction, the bill added. -MDM, GMA News