Arroyos want lending of vehicles to unlicensed drivers criminalized

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her son, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo filed on Tuesday a bill seeking to criminalize lending of vehicles to unlicensed drivers. The Arroyos filed House Bill 1581 proposing criminal penalties for any person who will allow another person without a valid driver’s license issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to borrow a motor vehicle. Mrs. Arroyo said the measure aims to curb the rising incidents of accidents caused by inexperienced and unlicensed drivers. "By providing a strong deterrent against vehicle owners, it is hoped that the perils posed by inexperienced drivers will be reduced," she said in a statement issued Tuesday. Under HB 1581, which will be known as the “Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010," erring motor vehicle owners will be penalized with a fine of not more than P10,000 or imprisonment from one month to six months. In September last year, Mrs. Arroyo and Dato also filed House Bill 382, proposing heavier penalties against drunk driving. The measure has been approved "in principle" by the House committee on transportation and is awaiting approval by the chamber. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMANews.TV