Recently, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) warned agents and dealers of cars and motorcycles of severe consequences if they fail to release license plates and Official Receipt/Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) of newly bought motor vehicles on time.
It reiterated that based on its guideline, all LTO offices must release the license plates and OR/CR to the motor vehicle dealerships within five days after all the documentary requirements are submitted.
On the other hand, motor vehicle dealerships have six days to release them to their respective clients, for a maximum total of 11 days.
Last month, Malacañang directed the Department of Transportation to impose the necessary penalties, such as termination of dealerships, on dealers who fail to comply with the LTO guideline.
Based on the LTO data, at least 28 agents from various motorcycle and car dealerships were already identified. The penalties against them are already submitted for resolution by the agency.
The penalties range from P20,000 to P500,000 and one month to six months suspension of accreditation.
All newly bought motorcycles are supposedly the priority in the distribution of license plates.
Well, someone in the LTO must be telling a lie.
Having bought a new motorcycle more than a month ago, the dealer’s branch informed me that the OR/CR will be available within 30 to 45 days from the date of purchase.
Along the documents that I had to sign was a pro-forma waiver releasing the dealer from liability in case I run into a checkpoint and deputized traffic enforcer confiscates my driver’s license and imposes penalties for using my motorcycle without a license plate and OR/CR.
Considering the scores of new motorcycles probably bought each month, a lot of their owners are likely in the same quandary.
As of last week, the 30th day after my purchase of the motorcycle, the OR/CR has yet to be released.
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Perhaps, the IBP Catanduanes Chapter can extend legal assistance to the family of Ma. Jenny Quintal, the woman who got electrocuted by a grounded, China-made transistor radio bought online for P187.
Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394), victims of online purchase irregularities may file complaints before the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) via email and seek redress for faulty goods.
Existing law extends the same legal rights for reparation and/or damages to the consumer as if the items were bought from a physical store.
The problem is that the pertinent provisions of RA 7394 on product quality imperfection only covers the replacement of the product by another of the same kind and the immediate reimbursement of the amount paid, without prejudice to any losses and damages.
The penalties for such an offense to be meted to the supplier or seller amounts only to a fine of not less than P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year or both at the discretion of the Court.
Considering that the use of the faulty radio led to the death of the consumer, there is clearly the need to file an appropriate criminal case in the proper court.
How about it, IBP Catanduanes?
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CHARLIE’S FAULT. One digs a hole, moves a couple of meters and digs another hole, and so on. The other worker follows the first, immediately filling in all the holes the first worker has dug.
The man watching is furious, and approaches them saying, “I’m going to write to the council about this digging holes and filling them in right away, it’s a disgrace.”
“Hang on,” says one of the workers, “It’s not our fault that Charlie’s off sick.”
“Who’s Charlie?” asks the man.
“He’s the guy who plants the trees.”