Riding in Tandem | The Adobo Chronicles

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – In the U.S., the Helmet Law means bike and motorcycle riders are required to wear helmets to prevent head injuries in accidents. In the Philippines, it means riders must take them off!

House Bill No. 4438, or the Helmet Ban Bill, will allow local government units in the Philippines to ban the use of helmets in their respective jurisdictions. Bill author Celso Lobregat, representative from the province of Zamboanga, said that his measure is intended to curb crimes perpetrated by criminals riding-in-tandem (two to a motorcycle).

There has been a recent spate of incidents in which helmeted motorcycle riders snatch bags and purses from pedestrians.

“It is an easy choice for us,” Lobregat said, “we’d rather protect the purses and bags of pedestrians than the lives of motorcycle riders. If they happen not to be criminals and figure in injury or fatal accidents, then so be it.”

An investigative report by The Adobo Chronicles shows that Lobregat himself was involved in a motorcycle accident when he was a teenager. He wasn’t wearing a helmet and suffered serious injurious to his skull and brain.

Could there be a connection between the lawmaker’s accident and his idiotic bill?

A huge billboard shows who can ride in tandem on motorcycles in Mandaluyong City

Mandaluyong City, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – In this Philippine city just a stone’s throw away from the capital, Manila, smart politicians have succeeded in passing a new ordinance that promotes sexism, ageism and homophobia — under the guise of curbing criminal activity.

Beginning this month, only first-degree relatives of motorcycle drivers will be allowed to ride with them. According to Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Alabos, officials based the ordinance on a law in Colombia, a country that also had rampant crimes committed by criminals riding motorcycles in tandem.

Based on the ordinance, only spouses, parents and siblings will be allowed to be with motorcycle drivers. Riders must bring their proof of relationship such as marriage certificates and identification cards. Violators who are caught during the six-month trial period will be apprehended.

Specifically, as clearly demonstrated in giant billboards (see photo) announcing the new ordinance:

– a man and a child (between 7 to 10 years old) as backrider CAN ride in tandem

– a man and a woman as backrider CAN ride in tandem

– a man and another man older than the specified age as backrider CANNOT ride in tandem, except if they are father-son

But ordinary Filipinos are smarter than the politicians. Many have eluded law enforcers by dressing up as women so that an adult man can ride in tandem with another man who is not his relative. Others have put on mickey mouse and other children’s costumes to look like 10 year-old backriders.

Last week, The Adobo Chronicles reported that Philippine Senator Tito Sotto III has proposed a similar law that would apply to the entire country.