President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure seeking to lower some penalties and fines relative to the use of motorcycles, amending the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.

Signed on May 9, 2025, Republic Act No. 12209 states that the driver of a motorcycle without a number plate or readable number plate shall be punished with a fine of “not more than P5,000”—a fine significantly lower than the original, which was a penalty of P50,000 to P100,000.

It states that a motorcycle driven without a number plate or a readable number plate shall be stopped and seized by law enforcers, and immediately surrendered to the Philippine National Police, but adds that “no seizure shall be made upon showing proof of ownership and registration, and that the owner is not at fault for the non-installation of a number plate or readable plate.”

If the number plate or readable number plate of a motorcycle is lost, damaged, or stolen, the owner or possessor of the motorcycle must report it to the Land Transportation Office and the PNP through the Joint PNP and LTO Operations and Control Center within 72 hours from discovery of such loss or damage, and request a replacement number plate.

Failure of the owner to report the same shall subject the owner to a fine of not more than P5,000; and if the lost, damaged, or stolen number plate or readable number plate is used in connection with an offense penalized under the Revised Penal Code or special penal laws, the failure of the owner to report within three days that the motorcycle is lost, damaged, or stolen, shall subject the owner to a fine of not more than P10,000.

The signing of RA 12209 has sparked mixed reactions. Reduced fines and exemptions from seizure are welcome relief for riders, but concerns linger about the law’s effectiveness in preventing motorcycle-related crimes. Some worry that reduced penalties may not deter crimes, and the law’s provisions may be vulnerable to abuse.

This law also may concern people who use borrowed vehicles, as well as people engaged in buy-and-sell business.

Streamlining plate number issuance and mandating quick document delivery from dealers could improve implementation. However, addressing road-related crimes may require a broader approach. The amended law is a step forward, but its effectiveness will depend on strict implementation and ongoing evaluation.