We are now running under one flag!!! MRO has converged with MAP!!!

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!