LTFRB: Commuters with fake vaccine cards, med certs may face criminal raps

Commuters who will present fake vaccine cards or medical certificates throughout the implementation of the “no vaccination, no ride” policy may face charges for criminal offense, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Sunday.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, LTFRB-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Zona Tamayo explained that they consider a local government unit-issued vaccine card or a duly-signed medical certificate as public documents, thus falsification of such may result in criminal offense.

“Criminal offense po ‘yan—merong imprisonment, meron pang penalties ‘yan. Medyo mabigat ‘pag sinabi nating criminal offense,” she said.

(That's a criminal offense that includes imprisonment and penalties. It is quite serious when it is a criminal offense.)

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) prohibited the unvaccinated from using public transportation in the NCR while the area is under Alert Level 3 or higher.

A full vaccination status can be proven by presenting either a physical or digital copy of the LGU-issued vaccine card, Department of Health (DOH)-issued vaccine certification, or any Inter-Agency Task Force-prescribed document with valid government-issued ID with picture and address.

Persons with medical conditions that prevent them from getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are however exempted from the “no vaccination, no ride” policy, but they have to present a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor.

Likewise, those who will buy essential goods and services as shown by a duly-issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify travel are excused.

The said policy will be fully enforced starting Monday, January 17.

The DOTr earlier said passengers or the commuting public can be penalized for violating their respective LGUs’ ordinances such as restricting mobility for the unvaccinated.

“Ang range po niyan nasa P500 up to P5,000. ‘Yung iba naman po may kasamang imprisonment ranging from five days to six months,” Transportation Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra said.

(Penalties range around P500 up to P5,000. Others have imprisonment ranging from five days to six months.)

“Siyempre kung may makitang paglabag din sa existing na mga health protocols o ordinansa ng ating mga LGUs ay puwede silang patawan ng karagdagang penalties para doon,” Tamayo said.

(Of course, if there is a violation of the existing health protocols or ordinances of our LGUs, they could be imposed additional penalties for that.)

For the first week of its implementation, commuters who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 will however only get a warning, said the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group in the NCR.

“Ang nais naman natin kasi para sa pagpapatupad ng programang ito ay mabigyan ng impormasyon ang ating mga pasahero nang sa gayon ay hindi naman tayo magkaroon ng problema on the ground,” Tamayo said.

(What we aim for in the implementation of this program is to provide information to our passengers so that we won’t have a problem on the ground.)

National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa on Sunday said he believes that this policy would encourage more people to get vaccinated as their mobility would be restricted if they refuse to do so.

He cited the DOH’s 2021 report that 85% of those hospitalized or brought to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to COVID-19 were unvaccinated. Moreover, 93% of those who died due to the virus did not receive their jabs.

“Actually, hindi naman ito pagpigil sa kanilang karapatan. Ito ay pagprotekta sa kanilang public health, sa kanilang kalusugan,” Herbosa said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(Actually, this policy does not restrict the public’s rights but protects their health.)

Tamayo added that “mystery passengers” will be deployed in public utility vehicles (PUVs) to monitor and ensure the public road transport sector’s compliance with the “no vaccination, no ride” policy.

These “mystery passengers” may be an enforcer or traffic marshall and may also thus impose penalties to violators accordingly, Tamayo said.

She then urged the public, as well as government officials and PUV drivers and operators, to comply with the policy and not present fake documents as this concerns everyone’s health and safety.

Drivers and operators of public utility vehicles found violating the "no vaccination, no ride" policy will face fines of up to P10,000, the DOTr earlier said.

The DOH on Saturday recorded another record-high 39,004 COVID-19 infections, bringing the country’s caseload to 3,168,379. —KG, GMA News