DOTC to draft measure penalizing sale of blinkers, sirens

A proposed measure will be drafted to impose penalties on dealers of illegal blinkers and sirens, also known as "wangwang." Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jose de Jesus said he ordered his staff to draw up a proposed measure that will be submitted to Congress, Radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported on Tuesday. De Jesus said he could not recall any law that will allow them to go after dealers of the sirens and blinkers, which President Benigno Aquino III branded as a symbol of inequality. Aquino kicked off anti-wangwang efforts shortly after his inauguration last June 30, when he refused to use the gadget and had his convoy stop at traffic lights. De Jesus likened the sale of wangwang to the drug trade, where he said the culpable parties are both buyers and sellers. The only law against the use of wangwang so far is Presidential Decree 96, signed by the late President Ferdinand Marcos in January 1973. PD 96 declares as unlawful the use or even attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets “that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds," including dome lights and other signaling or flashing devices. “The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and use only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances," it said. It added any device or gadget installed or mounted on any motor vehicle or otherwise used in violation of this decree shall be subject to immediate confiscation. Second and subsequent offenses may net the offender a six-month jail term and/or a fine of P600. The certificate of registration of the motor vehicle on which the unauthorized gadget or device herein mentioned is installed, mounted or used shall be canceled or revoked. — RJAB Jr./LBG, GMANews.TV