Updates... The UP meeting wasn't very special... Just a few discussions about some stuff that we are doing on September 10 and the people we need to meet before that. We wanted to talk more about the agenda's on hand but, since there was only a few people who were able to make the meeting, we decided to just hold off on it till the next meeting when more people attend... At about 11:00 AM, me and don_pangan decided to ride towards Macapagal to meet Astek for the Cavite meeting... We arrived in Blue Wave Macapagal at about 12:00NN and rested and cooled off before the long and hot ride into Cavite... We left at about 12:30... By 1:10, we were already at Petron, Imus, Cavite... We waited for our escort, Jeon before we headed of to the meeting place of the Cavite Federation of Riders... At about 1:20, Jeon arrived and we left at about 1:30... We got to the Caviteños hangout at about 1:50... Upon arrival, we had a quick lunch and prepared for the discussion... After a few introductions, the mic was turned over to me so we started the discussion... We started right off the AO point by point like we always did in all our meetings... A lot of stuff was clarified especially the general purpose of the September 10 workshop... We then hit on the different sections of the AO and focused mainly on the modifications part where we used an actual bike to pinpoint each area... As per the discussion, we made it a point thet the MAP and MRO's position is not do discuss the regulations to be set for all bikes, instead, we discussed the better alternative to the cause... Only a few lines are needed to address the main goals of the organization... We are not for regulation... We are for re-education... That is the main goal that we intend to push for the workshop... Although some parts of the modification issues are firmly attached to the law since 1964, we are going to bring the rest of the topics into a di-regulation cause and introduce the re-education bit... We also talked about the future of the MRO and it's goals to introduce a general information board where every rider can find answers to their questions via an online library that MCP and the MRO are working hard on making... With the guidance of MR. Jake Swann, the MAP and MRO aims to create an extensive education program that will span the whole country via the MCP site and by hosting seminars and symposiums with the help of businesses related to motorcycles and the manufacturers themselves... A massive campaign program shall be presented and this will take the entire community to make it work and make it effective... With hard work and perseverance, we shall make it happen and we will prevail... After the last parto of the talk where we talked about the membership program being prepared by the MRO, we then passed the mic back to the host for some last pointers... Before the meeting adjourned, Astek gave some anti-apprehension pointers to our brothers... I believe that the meeting was satisfactory and everybody left with a better understanding of the law and the situations surrounding us... The most important thing is that we left Cavite with smiles on our faces and smiles on the faces of the people we had a discussion with... With great pleasure and gratitude, the MAP and MRO wish to thank the club presidents of Cavite and our hosts for inviting us and taking the time to listen to us... And again, whenever you need our support or help, you know who to call... Mabuhay po kayong lahat!!!
Pictures of the meeting can be found here:
http://www.motorcyclephilippines.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136607&page=13
Due to some meetings happening left and right, we would have to meet on Saturday morning again...
Calling on all interested parties who wish to learn about the MAP/MRO movement and it's efforts to fight for rider's rights, we will have another meeting on Saturday, 8:30 am, August 30, in the parking lot of the UP College of Human Kinetics and the UP Swimming pool...
Here is the map for those who will be first timers:
Details of the meeting are already posted in the last thread entry...
After the meeting, MAP/MRO will be riding towards Cavite to meet up with some of the clubs and to give them updates and feedback to what is happening... We will also introduce the MRO to them and explain it's functions in conjunction with the MAP...
See you all on Saturday!
Ride safe!
Good evening fellow brothers... First of all, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to those who have signed up and shown up in our meetings diligently and with out question. You support is greatly appreciated and acknowledged as each time, it drives us to continue fighting for our rights. Moving on, MRO will be holding another meeting this weekend to update everyone on the current progress of the MAP/MRO technical working group that will attend the LTO's workshop on September 10 For now, there are no solid dates on the meeting but, it will be held in UP, at our original meeting place, the parking lot of the College for Human Kinetics or the UP Swimming Pool. Possible schedules will be to have the meeting on Friday evening at exactly 7:00PM or on Saturday morning at exactly 8:00AM. This will be announced on or before Thursday. The topics will include: Current status of the Technical Working Group Possible addition to the TWG depending on how the application is presented Announcement of meetings with other groups who wish to hear the status of the fight against the AO Other missions that we are also looking into Membership guidelines Assigning of satellite officers for different sectors Plans for a general assembly of all those interested in joining MAP/MRO Basically, everybody in this thread who signed up will be considered as the pioneers of this group and will be listed as Rights Sergeants to be lead by the selected interim officers, otherwise known as Freedom Lieutenants. The interim officers that will lead the group will also be announced on the next meeting and will be given their roles and responsibilities that will help the group carry out its mission on protecting the rights of riders while taking the rights of others in consideration. The officers will be divided into these responsibilities: Information gathering Information dissemination Membership committee Public affairs Research and Development Programs committee We will then have the group officially induct the interim officers on the first General Assembly tentatively scheduled on September 7, in Marilaque. They will be the standing officers until the 2nd general assembly to be held within the first quarter of next year. During that time, we will elect a new set of officers for the group. Everything that the group upholds will be the basis of MAP's missions and goals. Basically, MAP will become the representing body for the MRO. As explained previously, we decided to keep MAP's revival as a small core group so that we will be assured that we are on the same page and set upon the same goals. The people in this core group has been carefully selected from the community and has dedicated their own personal time to work on the issues that surrounds our general populous. In time, as more people dedicate themselves in supporting MAP's missions, we will slowly add more people into the MAP. They would of course have to initially show support to the group by signing up and becoming members of the MRO. Special inductions into MAP will be given to past members and officers after a public group announcement is made. It may sound complicated but, this way, we can be sure that the integrity, vision and credibility that the previous officers and members of the MAP worked hard to achieve is kept intact and protected. With the blessing of the founders,directors, past officers and past members of the MAP, we hereby pledge to continue the legacy that the Motorcycle Advocates of the Philippines have bestowed upon us. On behalf of the Motorcycle Rights Organization, Thank you for showing us the way. We will prevail!!!
MAP/MRO will have it's third meeting on August 23, Saturday at 8:00 am... The meeting will be held at Shell Julia Vargas cor C5... We are again inviting our brothers and all interested parties to please attend so we can talk more about our cause and the actions we are taking in lieu to the most recent AO for motorcycles... We will also update you on the plans to make the MRO the general membership body that will stand behind MAP in issues surrounding motorcycles and their riders... We will try to seek clarification on the article published today... I would like to ask everybody to remain calm about it till we hear from the writer... We will share what we learn about it on the meeting... Thank you for supporting MAP and MRO and we hope to see you there!!!
A recently released article by a certain JC Bello Ruiz on the Manila Bulletin have stirred the community and has raised a lot of questions...The article talks about the meeting last August 13 and the exchange of statements between the participants and the LTO officials...Although we are not sure whether the article is accurate or not, this has created speculations around the riding community that the September 10 workshop may be for nothing...I have spoken to some of my comrades and we all decided to remain calm and give the LTO the benefit of the doubt that they will still honor their promise to sit down with us on the workshop and fix the guidelines that will become AO's basis for implementation...As far as MAP and MRO is concerned, if this was a mis-statement on the part of the writer, we respectfully ask the newspaper to publish the necessary corrections on the said article...But if this article prooves to be accurate on all angles, we are prepared to face the inevitable...Here is the article:
Inspite the said article, we will not let this stop us from fighting for our rights...We will prevail...
In lieu to the current events surrounding the AO that has hit the entire motorcycle community recently, we, the representatives of MAP and MRO is looking for a lawyer who will help us in fighting the injustices against all motorcycle riders... Who ever is out there that is willing to represent us may contact me between the hours of 9:00 PM till 1:00 PM (since I work nights) so that we can talk about the scope of this need... Besides the fight against the AO, we will also look into the application of ordinances that seems to de-regulate the present laws set by the DOTC and LTO... A lot of our brothers have fallen victim to what it seems to be a nation wide apprehension spree for motorcycles big and small... While cagers and public vehicles get away with their violations, motorcycle riders are being targeted since they have the numbers that will satisfy the pockets of the corrupt... We have even heard of a motorcycle martial law in one of the provinces where a complete ban over motorcycles on main roads have been put in effect and the recent ordinance that people are being put in jails and detention cells for simple violations where a ticket or an in-pound is sufficient penalty... Again, calling all willing lawyers who are interested in taking this responsibility... Please contact me as soon as humanly possible at 0915-294-1987 or email me at gmtrueno@yahoo.com so that we can discuss the fees of your service to the motorcycle community... Thank you! Jobert Bolanos aka click_me MAP/MRO Interim Officer
I would like to make a correction on one of my previous statements regarding the appointed spearhead on the Technical Working Group that will attend the Workshop of the LTO... We are not being spearheaded by the MSF nor by MCPF, instead we are being lead by Mr. Jake Swann on the workshop... He is the person who was appointed by the LTO during the meeting last August 13, 2008... I apologize for the mis-information on this... Thank you!
Hi guys! So far, almost everything that has been mentioned in the meeting has already been mentioned by don...(
See the discussion here:http://www.motorcyclephilippines.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136607&page=10)
About Astek's question, yes MAP will be re-activated but, for now, the idea is to keep MAP's core a small group so that when we get summoned by anybody for a dialogue, we are not disorganized and we can make sure that we share the same views when they talk to us... Now, MRO will become MAP's membership secretariat... Sine in the previous meetings, we have made MAP the top of the umbrella for this movement and every individual/group who wants to be part of it will sign up under MRO... Everything that MAP decides on will be dependent on the talks held by the MRO general assembly... This way, we can help organize this movement and we get the word out faster... MAP will be the governing body while the MRO will be the force in which it stands for... For now, the people who will represent MAP will be announced on the third meeting to be held either on Friday evening or on Saturday morning... Regarding the Technical Working Group, I was told to form a small group of experienced individuals who have mechanical/engineering experience or a small political background to make sure all bases are covered properly... The purpose of this group is to make sure that the workshop comes up with a fair outline that does not think about bikers alone... We have to think about everybody who uses the streets as well... Another goal will be to find our own legal representation as what don mentioned... We will wait for about a week to see if there are any biker lawyers who are willing to support us given the circumstances... If we do not get one from the community, we will then look into other sources of legal representation... Now, everybody who has signed up in this thread (including part 1) will become the pioneer members of MRO that will be lead by MAP of course... The By-Laws of the MRO is now under process and will be submitted to the SEC by next week for formal registration... We will also be updating the SEC registration for MAP at the same time with a new list of directors... For MRO, we are thinking of getting representatives from each municipality to stand as the satellite for that particular area... His responsibilities will be to accept formal membership applications (either individual or by group/club) which will be consolidated whenever we have a meeting, relay vital information to the area he is representing, distribute the necessary materials needed in the movements that we are partaking, relay to the other directors and the MAP core group the ideas or suggestions by the people from each area and to report the events that needs attention especially if it concerns every biker's rights... By doing this, we believe that organization will be our key to success... The more organized we are, the better we can do to fight for our rights without discrediting the rights of other people... Now, looking at this thread makes me quite proud to see the concern and interest of the people who have listed their names... It is now up to each and everyone to show their commitment to the group when the time calls for us to make our moves... Thank you and good day to all! We will prevail!!!
Announcement!!!
The MAP/MRO group will have another meeting on Sunday, 8:00 am. Same place as before. UP College of Human Kinetics parking lot...
Agenda:
1. Compiling of applications for the MAP Lieutenants...
2. Compiling of applications for the Technical Working Group for the workshop on September 10...
3. Letters to be sent out for lobbying...
4. General circulation letter for the signature campaign...
5. Other plans and objectives...
If you are interested in being a part of this group and are really serious about supporting our cause, I strongly suggest that we all meet on this day...
There is a slight possibility that the location for the meeting will change to the parking lot in front of the UP Palma Hall so please keep yourselves updated...
Thank you!
The people who made the AO and was approved by Engr. Bert Suansing are:
Engr. Joel Donato, Chief, Motor Vehicle Inspection Center
Atty. Jimmy Pesigan, LTO Executive Director
Daisy Jacob, Chief, Traffic Safety Division
They are the people who spoke with us yesterday regarding the AO and they have set the workshop for us on September 10. I do hope that they (the three people who made the AO) have the power to hold it's implementation or orders to have operations up until the workshop has concluded and has given it's final recommendation...
We are all praying that they honor their word and take the outcome of the said workshop into consideration and as a guideline for their deputized agents who will conduct their operations on the streets...
The technical working group is already being formed by the appointed spearhead for this project... MSF/MCPF will lead the workshop, and both MAP and MCP has given their commitments to this group... With representatives from the manufacturers, we hope to come to a compromise regarding the legality of modifications and their extent...
As your current representative in MAP, I will also endorse a few people who will be able to give us the time and commitment in working to get this show on the road in preparation for September 10...
MAP/MRO will also have another meeting to discuss the matter of collecting important facts and figures as to people who have been harassed by non deputized agencies who are using the AO for their side schemes... We will collect copies of their tickets or sworn statements and will present them over to representatives of their agencies as a formal complaint...
Another agenda to be taken up by the MAP/MRO group is the appointment of Lieutenants who will coordinate the collection of info to be used to battle the corruption on the streets... We will still move on with our signature drive in case things do go as we hoped...
As of now, we have the LTO working with us on improving the gray areas of the AO... We now have to battle the abuse and harassment placed upon us by the other groups that think they can use the AO to milk us like cows...
The tides have turned slightly to our favor... And we now know where we stand, where we are going to hit them and what were going to hit them with... The rehabilitation process has started with the LTO, now we will start the crack down on corruption in the streets...
We shall prevail!!!
Here it is... Meeting took place at the LTO main office, at about 2:30 pm, August 13, 2008. A lot of people attending... Club presidents and representatives... Representatives from the manufacturers namely, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Motorstar and Suzuki... MCPF, MSF, MAP and a few media personnel... And a few other people representing different sectors... First off, we were greeted with a slight disappointment when we were told that Mr. Suansing was summoned to attend a meeting with the DOTC hence, he could not attend to the said meeting... Instead, he sent in the people who actually made the AO to meet us and speak to us directly about it... They were compromised by two men, one of which is an attorney, and a lady who spoke to us most of the time... They had another person assisting them on the side which I will not name for now... As for the three who attended, I will name them later... I am in the process in getting their full names and designations on LTO so that I won't make any mistake... So please forgive me on this... Of the bat, they immediately came defending the purpose of the AO and what it stands for... According to them, the AO was made in lieu of the safety of the rider, the other motorists on the roads and the pedestrians... We acknowledged the fact that the idea behind the AO was in-fact good and most of the topics in the AO, are actually good... In the beginning, the discussion was mostly random and it shifted from topic to topic with out direction... It started from the apprehending by the law enforcers on the streets, to the topic of lane splitting, back to modifications and what not... Then somebody asked the question about modifications again and this time, with conviction... Now here is where it becomes rowdy and complicated... The initial statement was about the apprehensions being made on the streets regarding certain modifications that are questionable like the tires, mag wheels, suspension, lights and so on and so fourth... They hit us back immediately about clip on handle bars that are not properly seated or is subject to un-necessary movement, front forks that protrude from the said handle bars and so on and so fourth... Hence the start of the argument on the importance of declaring which is illegal and which is not... This was shortly misdirected again to the apprehensions happening everywhere and what the LTO can do to stop the abuse from happening because of the gray area on the word "modifications"... Then the following statements from the LTO came... "The only people who are allowed to do the inspection and apprehension for modifications are the LTO deputized agents carrying an LTO id as big as a half sheet of paper with Suansing's signature, A letter from the LTO deputizing them for carrying out the said AO, a copy of the LTO ordering them to conduct the operation and a copy of the AO itself... Without these, nobody else can or is deputized to carry out the apprehending of people violating the AO"... This is why I said that tickets, and sworn statements are important... Because we will contest it and file complaints against the people abusing the said order... Moving on, we were calling on the suspension of the AO while we form a technical group to fix these gray areas of the said law... However, LTO didn't want to go towards that direction... In addition to that, the three who met with us admitted to the fact that they were the ones who made the AO and also admitted to not knowing more than any of us who attended the meeting... Actually, a previous workshop that was held a few moths ago that tackled some of the issues in this AO was not even used to create this one... Whether or not they got any advice from anybody, this indicates that although the AO was created for the promotion of safety on the streets for motorcycles and pedestrians, the technical aspect was not discussed or was given any attention to... With this discovery, the LTO now realized the importance to of our advice for them to create a technical working group to meet for a workshop that will determine the road worthiness of a motorcycle... The workshop is scheduled to take place on September 10, 2008... Now, we will make sure that the members of the workshop shall be compromised by people from MCP, some clubs, MAP, MCPF, MSF and the manufacturers... We will ask the appointed conductors of this workshop to put as much of us in so that we can determine the validity of the proper definition of which is road legal and illegal... This way, we can properly outline and determine which modifications would be safe on the roads and which modifications would be unsafe... With this realization, we then took the opportunity to tackle the AO part by part... Hitting on one topic followed by the other, stating which areas we would like to sit down on and re-define on September 10... This was acknowledged by the representatives of the LTO one by one and this is where we stand: 1. We need to run the technical working group or workshop in order for us to help the LTO define each part of the motorcycle and what modifications are acceptable by the manufacturer's standards... 2. We need to run the technical working group or workshop to determine the proper and allowable cargo/carriers/bags on a motorcycle... 3. We need to run the technical working group or workshop to determine the ruling on electrical accessories such as lights, horns etc, etc... 4. We need to re-define the scope and parameters determining the extent or circumstances that will allow us to lane-split... 5. We need to identify the duly appointed officers who can carry the apprehensions based on the AO... 6. We need to publicly announce and share the information on a nationwide scale... Since we are talking directly to the people who drafted and made the AO, we hope to have a better footing for it's revision after the workshop... Personally, I am on a neutral state about my feelings... I wanted to get a suspension while we work on the solutions and properly defining the laws but, I realized that that request will not happen for us since their option is to do a workshop that will create the proper definitions that will amend the said AO... I am somewhat dissatisfied that we cannot stop the operations from happening and stop the other agencies that has used this AO to harass our fellow riders on the streets... I am somewhat glad that the LTO realized the vagueness of their laws and the need to run the workshop in-order to fix the missing links and patch the holes with the right definitions... I wouldn't call this a win for us but, I wouldn't call it a loss also... Now it's time for us to do what is necessary to provide as much information and technical research to present on the workshop in about a months time from now... This will hopefully become the basis in which we defend the rights of motorcycle riders to modify and enhance our rides... The MRO will conduct another meeting soon to talk about this and everybody is invited to join us... We will also start the application for lieutenants for MAP who will help us do the other things we have set to do to support this movement... For now, stay tuned and you are open to discuss your opinions and ideas so that we can add them in the days to come... We will prevail...
ANNOUNCEMENT!!!Here are the updates from today’s meeting:Our first agenda was to talk about the nature of the problem on the law that the LTO has implemented that greatly affects every rider in the country. It was discussed that majority of the rules and regulations are in fact on the right track to promote safety and teach our riders the importance of proper riding and traffic rules.We also discussed the application of the said AO and the validity of the implementation. Contrary to what the majority believed, the AO was actually released and was implemented on May of 2008. We have sought the advice of one of our brothers and we have verified that this AO was legally implemented. Although we are not 100% sure if it has been published or submitted to the UP Law center, as per the document. It holds ground fifteen (15) days after it has been submitted to the UP Law center “OR” has been published on a newspaper “OR” has been circulated throughout the nation. Meaning to say, just by doing one of these conditions, the law is deemed valid and implemented. Although a lot has claimed and sworn that no general nationwide circulation has taken place nor has it been published officially on the newspapers, just by bringing the AO and have it received by the UP Law Center makes it solid.By the word “OR”, any proof by the LTO that they have done any of the clauses above means that we cannot hit them with illegal implementation. However, if UP has not received a copy of the AO and there was in fact no publications about it then we can apply a case against them on the grounds of improper or illegal implementation due to the failure to publicize or submit the AO to the UPLC.Now, in case they did follow the proper filing and publishing of the said AO, we have sought ways on how to get LTO to retract a portion or several portions of the said AO.In order for us to successfully air our concerns about the no modification and have LTO retract that portion on modifications, we have to prepare a letter stating our intention to clear the “modification” grey area. We will also ask the suspension of tickets and/or the apprehension by the deputized agencies in conducting this order to avoid more of the abuse that has come out of the “modification” law.We have agreed to make a study that will help the LTO in properly identifying the scope of the said law and how to avoid the improper use and application by their deputized enforcers. In order for us to present a viable letter that will bear weight, we need to carefully study our suggestions and strengthen our position as to be a self governing community. We cannot just say that this should be legal or that should be illegal. We should properly define each and every item on the said letter.Part of the plan is to seek an audience with the manufacturers of the bikes and the aftermarket parts so we can add their input into the case study that we are going to present to LTO. Hopefully, we get that done quickly and make all things running parallel to each other in order to save precious time.For now, we will be writing a letter asking for the temporary suspension of the apprehension of the “modified” motorcycles until we can submit a detailed outline that the LTO and their deputized agencies can use as a guideline when apprehending riders with “modified” bikes. On this letter, we will also provide them info as to how the “modification” rule has become a breeding ground for abuse by the people whom they deputized.On the same letter asking for a temporary suspension on the “modification” law, we will be attaching our collected signature sheets as to make the letter gain more momentum on getting the LTO to approve our request. Copies of the letter will be sent out nationwide so that we can collect as many signatures as we can before we turn it over to the LTO.So basically, what we are trying to say is that we have to do this and see what happens before we take our fights on the streets.We have also discussed the term “modification” and its difference to the word “upgrades”. Since the LTO used the word “modification” we have to emphasize that simple upgrades such as better tires, better shock absorbers, better horns and better lights etc, etc should not be considered modification. Instead, they should be called as upgrades and should not be included in the apprehensions.Another topic we discussed is the need for an official umbrella group who will lead the entire community in this matter. They will be the ones who will represent, lead and sign on behalf of the community. As agreed upon, MRO shall be falling under MAP (Motorcycle Advocates of the Philippines.) I also would like to inform everybody that MAP has recognized our movements and has deputized me to act as a representative under their wing. As soon as this is officially announced and recognized by the rest of their current officers/directors, we shall be appointing lieutenants who will carry out assignments to get all that we need and to save precious time. So from here on in, this movement shall be designated as MAP’s current directive.Going back to the letters that we are going to hand out, we will also make use of letters going to every shop, manufacturer and dealer to seek their support and advice on this.I am also happy to announce the pledge of MCP to fully back us up as long as do things the right way.On another note, there have been some speculations about the stand of MCP on this. Let me be the one to let you all know that we are on the same side and on the same agenda. They are silently working on getting this AO fixed. After my discussions with them, I strongly believe that their meeting on Wednesday with the LTO will provide us with more info that can be useful in securing the goal. I have complete trust and faith on this one.I will also be working hand in hand with MCPF in providing them with vital information that will help our cause.I would also like to ask everybody who has been apprehended to write the details of how they were apprehended, who is the arresting officer, time and location of the day he got caught. Under their sworn statements, I would need their names, general location of address, age and occupation. As much as possible, please send in a letter before Monday as this will be used to build the agenda for the meeting with LTO. If in case a person got apprehended and was given a ticket, please send in a scanned image of both sides of the ticket to us.This is as far as we got on the meeting. If ever I missed a detail, please remind me so I can put it in MCP and my blog.If there are any questions or inquiries on this matter, please feel free to contact me.We shall prevail!!!Thank you!
It has come to my attention that people are using my blog and linking it to a lot of places... I do not mind this really as people will see the blog and see the person who owns it... It makes me happy that the purpose and motives of this blog are being acknowledged and noticed by it's readers... Now, there have been some people who have used my blog for their own benefit. I do not know whether it may be intentional or not but, re-posting my entires in this blog as their own is giving me a very sour taste in my mouth... I am not a good writer nor do I boast as one... But when people use the entries and makes it look like they wrote every word makes my heart crumble...This shouldn't be an issue but, I somewhat feel insulted by this... I may be just being overly sensitive and all that... Am I not supposed to feel bothered by this?I just wish that people who are taking credit for the stuff I write are having the satisfaction out of stealing the work of other people...Thank you and good day!
ANNOUNCEMENT!!!First gathering schedule and locationFirst of all, let me apologize for the short notice but, I have been telling you already via YM blasts that it will happen anytime soon...Anyways, we have done our ocular inspection and found the best spot for the very first gathering of MRO...When: August 9, 2008, Saturday, 9:00 am sharp!Where: UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics parking lot (Besides the UP chapel)MAP and area pics can be found here:http://www.motorcyclephilippines.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2741452&postcount=167We will talk about a lot of things and will update you with the progress of all the movements by MCPF, MAP, MRO and the rest of the involved entities...We will also be handing out the letter that has been distributed for the signature campaign...We will also discuss the plans and agenda for the cancellation of the "modifications" law...Other stuff to be discussed will be announced tomorrow...I will be there by 8:30 am so early birds are welcome...After the gathering, people who wish to continue the discussions are welcome to join me in my house in Marikina...Hope to see all, if not, most of you there!!!
Fellow brothers... I don't mind my posts and materials from my blog to be shared, copied and posted anywhere... What I do mind is when people use my material and posting it as their own... I would appreciate it if people will quote the source of their re-posts... I respect those who follow and support our cause and I hope people will respect the person who they are quoting... Thank you!
Today, I will be riding around all morning after work to look at possible places for the first MMRO gathering...
We will have brothers coming from the north and south so we are hoping to have the gathering somewhere in the middle...
We will be going around Ortigas and will check if we can use the Silver City grounds for this...
If we can get permission and approval from the management of Silver City, this is the most likely place for us to gather this weekend...
We also plan to ride around UP since there are a lot of places in the campus where we can all gather and have our meeting...
I will update you as soon as we figure out the best spot and we will post the location, maps and schedule for the gathering...
I will be seeing all of you soon!!!
Hello brothers...
I have been reading and updating myself with whats been happening...
Anyway, I would like to ask everybody to keep their cool... Sudden and unplanned actions will destroy our chances of bringing this thing down and worse, it may even lead to more negative insights from the public...
We have to plan this carefully and to make sure we have all that we need when we face them in their offices, in court or in the streets...
One small mistake on our side can ruin our chances and put all our efforts to waste...
About the invitation of MCPF to a meeting with the LTO officials, there is no preparation for this... If the people who join makes a mistake of saying the wrong thing, then we are in deeper sh!t...
I know everybody is pushing for something to happen but, if we do not do this right, this law may come back and hound us over and over again...
If we study and arm ourselves properly, then we stand a better chance of removing this law for good...
So please... Keep calm and lets do this the right way...
Again, the Motorcycle Rights Organization will meet before this week ends and I will share vital knowledge to everybody that will help us end this war against these anti-motorcycle legislature...
Don't dive into something that will only lead others to turmoil... We don't want to give LTO or anybody else for that matter, a chance to turn a bikers image into something more negative...
This is it guys, the LTO has shown how half baked their laws are... Even DTI has no idea what and how to approve the modifications of motorcycles because they said themselves that they have no basis for standardization of motorcycle and motorcycle aftermarket parts... Our position to grab a TRO is more feasible by the means on how they passed the law with out coordination, proper planning, proper study and sufficient information dissemination... All we need now are evidences of people apprehended for the said modifications with out any basis on whether or not they promote accidents or safety... So if you are flagged down, don't give them money... Take their ticket and bring them to me and my fellow brothers who will be part of this Motorcycle Rights Organization and we will use their own stupid law against them... The more tickets we have, the more bullets we can shoot at them... We will not be taking away those tickets from you... All we need to do is to take a picture of you holding your ticket and a close up of whats written on it... Then we will all contest the tickets together and we will show them how their half baked law is prone to abuse... We will then spread our own position paper for a TRO... We also plan to give every club all over the Philippines a petition paper to be signed by each rider to back up the request for a TRO... Lets get locked and loaded for battle brothers... Sign your clubs now and join in so we can start this movement against them... We will bring this out to the public and get the media involved... Lets show them how strong we are and how united we are against this tyranny being shoved down our throats... Things that has to be done: 1. Formalize the Motorcycle Rights Organization (create the directors and the by-laws) 2. Assign the representatives who will be the front line of the organization (no officers and ranks, just directors on an equal state) 3. Register the group with SEC (non-profit organization) 4. Provide each club who participates with a copy of the petition letter to be signed by all motorcycle riders in their area or as much signatures as they can get (the more riders who sign, the stronger our petition will be) 5. Gather all donations to fund the application for a TRO and to pay for a strong and powerful lawyer to represent us all (we need to hire a competent and influential attorney so we can get this TRO on the road) 6. Show the entire nation and the whole world what a real biker's community against anti-motorcycle legislation and anti oppression is all about What you can do now: 1. Let all your biker brothers know what is going on 2. Tell them to support the movement by signing up individually or as a whole group (you must designate a representative) 3. Explain the organization's plans on filing for a TRO by means of collecting evidences of illegal apprehension or apprehension without any basis to declare the safety of your modification 4. Attend the first gathering this weekend (place, date and time will be announced later on this thread) 5. Sign up and be a part of this organization which is focused on going to war with tyranny and oppression of our rights as motorists This is it people. There is no stopping us now. They chose to step on our toes and oppress our freedom and rights. Let us show them that we will not succumb to their tyranny and that we will prevail. Also, support our blog by voting on the side panel:http://www.bikerpinoy.blogspot.com Also sign up and show support on our thread in Senator Escudero's forums:http://www.chizescudero.com/phpBB2/v...?p=40303#40303 Send your contact info and list of participants and representatives if your a group to this email:gmtrueno@yahoo.com Contact me @ 09152941987 for more details and updates on the movement. Thank you and may god bless us all!
As posted on the forums of motorcyclephilippines.com:
My proposal:
(Group Name) is a motorcyclists’ rights organization dedicated to preserving individual liberties and biker rights. (Group Name) works to increase motorcycle awareness among motorists. (Group Name) works to educate concerned citizens how to effectively impact the legislative process. (Group Name) encourages bikers to become politically active in their communities.
As an individual, you can help by joining (Group Name) and actively lobbying your elected officials in the ongoing struggle against legislation that would rob you of motorcycle and individual freedom in the Philippines.
(Group Name) is non-partisan and welcomes all riders and friends of liberty and freedom.
By joining (Group Name), you can be part of a grassroots biker political power that has come together to oppose anti-motorcycling legislation and to promote the implementation of programs that will help preserve motorcycling and our lifestyle.
Then we will put in an application for members who will commit to this cause.
Not that this is being promoted already by MCPF and MCP, but memberships shall comprise of a group to group basis as well as individual memberships.
After a core group has been activated and registered with the SEC, our first role will be to find as much info as we can to prepare a TRO against the AO that was recently released by the LTO on motorcycle modifications. Our next agenda is to get each club and organization to sign up and assign a representative who will participate in meetings and information dissemination about our progress.
We will also use this group to start with re-educating our riders about their motorcycles and teaching them the basic laws for all motorists.
We will also serve as a general populous geared up to eliminate corruption on the government offices and on the streets by reporting and taking photographic evidence of illegal activities such as "kotong" or "lagay".
Finally, we will seek the support and sponsorship from freedom rights groups, political figures, tv, radio and print corporations who can contribute to our cause. We will also try to get manufacturers and motorcycle businesses involved by showing them how injustices and anti-motorcycle legislatives can affect them and their businesses.
As far as the first meeting is concerned, I would like to start this asap and I was thinking of gathering the first group this week for a small get together to gather contact information for each and to talk about the first issue in our agenda which is the "modifications" rule as indicated on the AO released recently.
Any feedback and input will be greatly appreciated and I would also like to invite all interested parties to get involved starting with the clubs and organizations around Manila and it's neighboring cities and provinces.
I would also like to call on jdfvrooom on this so he can share with us his plan to set up the unified motorcycle congress.
Also, I would like to call on Don_pangan to en light us further on their plans for the motorcade and the group he's representing.
Let us join our hands and fight for our rights.
Thank you!
You may contact me via email: gmtrueno@yahoo.com
Cellfone: 09152941987
We shall show them what the motorcycle community is made of!
This was sent via email to Senator Escudero's public and administrative email addresses...reachus@chizescudero.com, mediagroup@chizescudero.com
Good day Mr. Chiz Escudero and likewise to your staff as well!
My name is Jobert Bolanos, 32 years old and a resident of ************************************, Marikina City.
I would like to take this opportunity to say that I am a big supporter and follower of Senator Escudero. I have always believed in him and his capacity as a politician. I trust him more than anybody in the Philippine political scene. Hence the reason why I am writing to him about a very important and urgent matter surrounding us.
Anyway, I am writing this letter to inform you of a grave injustice that is hounding the motorcycle community of the Philippines. As a rider, I am greatly alarmed by the injustice and discrimination against all motorcycle users in the Philippines. Recently, a new law prohibiting motorcycle users to improve their motorcycles has been passed by the LTO under Administrative order: AHS-2008-15(MC) which is detailed below:
The paper you see has started to circulate sometime today. It is being distributed by LTO personnel around Manila. We have nothing against a, b, c and e as they promote safer motoring for us on our bikes. It is "d" that is a immensely gray area for us. I will talk about how it is in just a moment.
The order states that this is effective on August 4, 2008, however, the flagging down has started a few weeks back. It started with out any clear and proper information dissemination to the motorcycle community. MMDA traffic enforcers, Police and LTO personnel have started the apprehending of people on motorcycles based on all the rules stated on the order. What's bothering us is the ruling on "d" is extremely vague and completely baseless. If your asking why, a significant number of bikers have been apprehended all over the metro for the following reasons:
1. Changing of the headlight assembly to an aftermarket design
2. Changing of the rear shock absorbers
3. Changing of the original rims to aluminum magwheels
4. Changing of the tires to wider and better compounds
5. Changing of the footpegs to aftermarket rearsets
6. Changing of the light bulbs to brighter brands
7. Changing of the front wheel fairings to an aftermarket design
8. Changing of the brake discs to a larger diameter for more accurate braking
And so on and so fourth. The said basis for the law according to some people from the LTO is said to promote safer traversing while riding. How does changing of the tires to a better rubber compound and brand become unsafe? How does making the road in front of us appear brighter become unsafe? How does improving the suspension of the motorcycle unsafe? And the list goes on and on.
As you can see, this has really left a huge gray area and has been subject to unscrupulous activities and questionable reasoning behind the order to flag us down for these "modifications". What's worse is that this has been subject into a means for unlawful MMDA traffic enforcers and "kotong" cops as a stepping stone for abuse.
A few bikers have already spoken about their experiences when they were apprehended because of the modifications on their bikes. And it has been seen that the people apprehending the riders are using this in order to scare the biker and put money (lagay) into their pockets.
If an LTO field operation takes place, riders caught are ticketed and asked to redeem their licenses at the main LTO office in East Avenue. Riders then go to the LTO office only to be surprised that the supposedly Php2,000 fine has increased to Php4,000 as described by one biker who attempted to redeem his license.
Our main concern here is that this is a new law. And new laws should not affect those who have already modified their bikes in the past. It is now the job of the LTO to ask and provide guidelines to each rider on what they can or cannot do to their bikes during registration. And if the vehicle fails inspection, then it doesn't get registered. What they are doing is they suddenly impose a law and immediately put pines over our heads. Fines that are no joke to people who use their motorcycles as a means of cheaper transportation and even as their Livelihood.
Another concern is that the basis for making the modifications that are intended to improve/enhance our rides has been made into a reason to flag us and fine us. Isn't it in our right to do what we want to our own property given that we do not cause harm to anybody besides and including ourselves? Now, they have taken away that right and they are putting us on a leash.
And what's adding insult to injury is that they are doing this movement on motorcycles alone. Cars who are modified themselves are not being flagged down nor inspected on check points. So we can't modify bikes but others can modify their cars, SUV's, jeeps and trucks? This is discrimination. This is injustice. How in the world can they expect us to respect these new rules when we are being singled out just because we ride motorcycles?
They never gave this an opportunity to be clarified and put into discussion with motorcycle groups and experts. They just thought of it, laid it down the table and started the order. No information dissemination besides a few interviews on the radio and Television. We never even saw this on the newspaper. And there aren't anything posted on MMDA's or the LTO's website about these violations and their corresponding fines.
Let me quote a post from the Motorcycle forums:
"this LTO guideline should not be applicable to those motorcycles that were already modified before the passage of this "guideline". sorry, i haven't read the entire guideline. just basing my reaction on the TS's comments.
Generally, laws should have only prospective application unless they are favorable to the offender who is not a habitual delinquent. Now, does the prospective rule cover only penal laws enacted by Congress? Will it not apply to penal circulars (like the LTO's guidelines)? the answer is YES.
There is this Supreme Court ruling that upholds the prospective rule will also apply to penal circulars.
In the case of Co vs. CA, October 28, 1993, it was ruled that this Circular cannot be applied retroactively because petitioners cannot be faulted for relying on the earlier official pronouncement of the Secretary of Justice that guarantee checks issued prior thereto are not covered by said Circular. That decision added that the principle of prospective of statutes, original or amendment has been applied to administrative rulings and circulars, and to judicial decisions which although in themselves are not laws, are evidence of what the laws mean, this being the reason why under Article 8 of the New Civil Code, judicial decisions applying the laws of the Constitution shall form part of the legal system.
The LTO is an administrative agency. It can exercise quasi-legislative powers by issuing circulars and memoranda with penalties. Thus, the above-mentioned case (Co vs. CA) will readily be our defense that such "Guidelines" of the LTO with the corresponding penalties shall not apply to those motorcycles that were already modified prior to its implementation.
If owners of motorcycles will modify theirs, after such effectivity/implementation, then they should be the ones who will be penalized. Good faith is not a defense when you say, i did not know of the law. i have never read of it. "Ignorance of the law excuses no one.""
As much as I would like to write more in this letter, I believe that a meeting would be a better way to explain all this and provide you with more information. May it be with you or anybody in your department who is willing and open enough to hear us out. As far as we bikers are concerned, this is an act of unlawful harassment, injustice and discrimination against us motorcycle owners and riders.
And we strongly believe that there is more to it than meets the eye. And most especially, there is a wider effect that branches out not only to the motorcycle owners and users, but to the businesses and their people who make a living in providing us the parts that we use to replace, improve or enhance the parts and the overall performance of our bikes. Sad to say, to the LTO, MMDA and PNP, it's plainly generalized as "modifications".
I would like to shed more on the issue but, I think it would be better if you take a look at my blog first since I started it because of the so called order that the LTO has been using against us.
You can find my blog here: www.bikerpinoy.blogspot.com.
You can also find more discussions about the issue on the forums of www.motorcyclephilippines.com.
If you can find the time to speak with us or have somebody meet with us, you may contact me at ******* or 09152941987. And we will be glad to answer all your questions about this matter.
Thank you and more power to you senator and your staff!
Cordially,
Jobert Christian G. Bolanos
If the honorable senator or his staff replies and grants us an audience with them, who wants to join me? You may email me if you wish to join me on this fight against discrimination.gmtrueno@yahoo.com
Now they are going around distributing flyers about the new order. Even if they have started flagging down riders a few weeks back. Why? Because people have noticed that the order came with out proper information dissemination?
This is blasphemy. Now they have really out done themselves. After a few weeks of bikers falling into the foul traps of these arrogant fools, they start telling us and the public about it.
And it shows that the order is really intended to hit motorcycles only. Our rights have been destroyed and trampled upon and it seems that MCPF cannot do anything about it anymore. They have told us that they are in the process of amending the order, but it seems that have fallen into deaf ears.
The LTO has discriminated us riders! They have killed our rights to our own property and our lives as bikers! What's next? They will give us times to which we can go on the roads? Designate places where we can go and cannot go? Stop every biker from riding their own bikes?
What are we to do? Just give up and hang our gloves while they eat away our rights? While they single out motorcycles with their half baked order?
I am ashamed of the way LTO has turned us riders into fools!!! I am ashamed of the person whom they put incharge and pushed this order!!! I am ashamed of the way the country is diving into complete and total stupidity in making such laws!!! I am ashamed of it all!!!
It only shows to proove that the real intention here is to eliminate the motorcycle community. To completely discriminate and single us out from the other motorists on the roads. To destroy and step on every riders right to use and improve our iron horses.
If they think we will bow down to this unspeakable act of discrimination and insult, They don't seem to realize what they are getting them selves into. If they will use their own laws against us, we will use it to destroy them and their integrity.
LTO, your department and the people who run it don't deserve to be in public service because you FAIL at doing your jobs!
MMDA and Kotong Cops, as you get ready to abuse this stupid order from the LTO, we will also get ready to show the world how arrogant,discriminating and abusive you are to bikers!
If there is anybody out there who has any concern about our rights as taxpayers and as Filipinos, take a look at what your appointed officers are doing to the motorcycle community!!!
Finally, Mr. Jojo Medina of the MCPF speaks:
yes we are in talks with LTO with regards to the gray areas of their new law.
madali naman kausapin si mr. suansing as per my experience talking to him before . mga middle of next week ang next schedule
concensus ng mga mcpf directors is to talk to mr suansing and not rally on the street for now.
suggestion ko lang para di makotongan... kailangan mas matalino kayo sa mga enforcers at di dapat kayo mag mukang tanga kasi kung alam nilang kaya nila kayo talagang tatapakan kayo . kung gusto niyo makaganti .. document niyo ang pagkokotong na enforcer para mapatanggal sa trabaho..
may batas tayo na pwede kayong makulong up to 10 years kung nag bribe kayo.. nangyari na ito sa kaibigan ko na sumubok maglagay sa isang traffic violation. na tyempohan niyan matinong police ayun na posasan. 2 weeks nakakulong hirap kaming ilabas siya then on going ngayon ang kaso niya
it's your right if you want to rally and we respect that . like what sir don pangan said ... individual feelings muna ito di kasama ang mcpf
Also, BoyG, head administrator of MCP also gives his statemet:
I agree with Jojo.
Let's see what we can do to amend these items first before we take action.
There are a lot of grey areas to be discussed in that AO, specially the modification part.
But most of it, with regards to rider safety, I agree with. (personal opinion only po)
My personal opinion to these statements?
Remember, It's not just the LTO... The traffic enforcers and the "kotong" cops are taking advantage of this gray area and victimizing our brothers left and right... We have seen people being apprehended for changing their shock absorbers... We have seen people being apprehended for big discs... We have seen people being apprehended for wearing their office uniform to work... We have seen people being apprehended for rear sets... The rules are quite vague and these officers are taking advantage of it... A person was apprehended, surrendered his license, went to the main office of LTO only to find out that the fine isn't just 2,000 but 4,800!!! Where are the grounds of this fine?!? Where is it listed?!? Where is it posted?!? If we are to fix so called law that has become a source of abuse in their ranks, they should at least restrain their people and all those taking advantage of this very shady law... So till then, hahayaan na lang natin na mag fall ang mga kapwa natin sa mga abusadong pating sa kalsada? Di ba pwedeng mag hain muna sila ng TRO para naman makahinga tayong lahat ng maayos habang inaayos yan napakalabong batas na yan?(Are we to just allow our fellow riders to fall victims to these abusive sharks on the streets? Can't the at least put out a TRO so we can all breathe easy while these unclear rules are being fixed?) Kung madali palang kausap yang si Suansing eh bakit hinayaan nyang mapagtripan at makotongan ang mga kababayan natin sa motorsiklo lamang? Bat tayo lang ang pinaginitan? At isa pa, alam ba ni Suansing na hindi naman napahayag ito ng maayos dahil karamihan ng hinuhuli sa kalsada e walang kaalam alalm tunkol dito?!? Oo obligasyon ng mamamayan na alamin ang bawat batas ngunit obligasyon din nila na tuwing mag hahain sila ng bagong batas e isasapubliko muna ito ng mabuti at sisiguraduhing malalaman ng nakakarami itong batas na to...(If the LTO official is indeed easy to talk to, why is he allowing it and only letting motorcycle riders fall into the ruling? Why are we being singled out? Does he know that the rules that was put in effect wasn't properly published or announced? Does he know that the majority of the bikers being apprehended and flagged down on the streets don't even know that this "rule" exists? Yes it is the obligation of each person to know the law but, it is also the lawmakers obligation to bring this into public knowledge through proper and sufficient information dessemination so that the people affected will be aware of whats going on?!?) E kapag pumunta ka sa LTO, wala ka man lang mapagtanungan tunkol dito at ang kadalasang sagot lang nila eh meron nang memo tunkol jan pero wala silang maibigay na detalye sa amin...(When you go to any LTO office and ask about the details of this new ruling, all they will tell you is that there was a memo about it. Yet, nobody can give anybody sufficient details regarding it...) The mere fact that this law only intends to single out people on bikes is a clear violation of our rights as motorists... They let other vehicles pass by without a glance while people on motorcycles are the only ones being flagged down by this unclear manifesto... If they are really sincere in listening and clearing this issue, why are the sharks still out there and continuously flag down riders to check for "modifications"? It's not just the new rules that are unscrupulous here... It's also the people enforcing it...Additional items from the LTO Guidelines:
Drivers and back riders who fail to wear prescribed helmet will be fined P1,500 plus attending seminar for traffic safety to be conducted by LTO.
1.For carrying more passenger other than the back rider or cargo, a penalty of P1,000.
2.For defective accessories such as headlight, tail light, signal light, brake light, side mirror and horn a fine of P1,000 for the violators.
3.For modifying any part of the original design of a motorcycle or scooter without approval of LTO and the DTI a fine of P2,000.
4.Wearing flip flop, sandals, or slippers fine of P500 for the first offense, P700 for the 2nd offense and P1,000 for the 3rd offense and revocation of driver’s license.
Rules 1 and 2 are both international standards... I concur... But rules 3 and 4 has to be laid out with more precise detail... I used to go to work wearing my slacks now I have to carry it to work because of the possibility of being flagged down... Where is that written? I used to have plans of improving the suspension of my new bike and changing my tires to improve traction but, I can't since I pass through area's where a lot of the people being apprehended by "modifications"... Where are the list of modifications that the enforcers and officers are flagging us down with? The law isn't supposed to be this way... It's supposed to be beneficial to the people who are directly affected by it... And if they do pass a law, everybody should be covered... Not just a particular group of people who falls into one category... The problem is, only bikers are being taken down here... I respect the initiatives of MCPF, it's officers, MCP and it's administrators in helping to clear these issues out... We thank you for your efforts but, please consider our brothers who have already fallen into the traps set out by the abusers and those who are about to fall prey to these sharks on the streets...
