⌛ "Foreign tax" a.k.a "rich tax"

I was talking to a local born guy that drove a Kawasaki Ninja 250 (276,000 pesos). He said that the LTO will single him out and stop him only because of his motor, and he always has to make a "donation" to go free.
He is seriously thinking of selling it and buying something less costly to keep this from happening.
He asked me what my new Kawasaki Rouser 200 cost and I told him 96,000 pesos.
He said he would look for something cheaper.
The way the world works here I'm afraid.

 

But is he actually guilty of breaking any Filipino laws? If so, he needs to pay the price whether the Filipinos are breaking the same laws or not. Unfair, maybe, but as a foreigner living in a foreign country what else can one do?

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48b)

 

He is a natural born Filipino. And he says that he always wears long pants, full shoes, a helmet and he just gets stopped because of the high price of his motor. And he says he just has to sit there until they finish taking their time unless he "donates" to them.
He said it has nothing to do with breaking any laws, or being a foreigner, it only is the fact that he paid 276,000 pesos for his motor.
He laughed when he said that if he can afford that much for a motor, they feel that he can afford to buy them lunch.

 

Have been here (in Dumaguete), for over 20 years on big bikes, stopped loads of times on the bikes, even in my cars, never been asked for money ever........ Your mate must be just plain unlucky.

 

Personally, I think he's fantasizing just a bit, but that is just my opinion.

Larry

 

I tend to agree with you. I have a Yamaha Tmax that sells used for about 320K and I don't get singled out either....

And, never would I ever pay on the side of the road. I have legal current papers and a license.

Mark

 

Your friend might want to visit the LTO website and print out the schedule of fines.

Cheers,
Mark

 

Actually, I read "Administrative Order AHS-2008-015" (May 15 2009) on the LTO website and it does list leather boots and heavy pants as required protective clothing, along with a heavy jacket, leather gloves and a helmet and goggles. And it even list the fine for sandals and for barefoot. 500 pesos for first offense, 700 pesos for second and 1000 pesos and revocation of drivers license for third time. And it clearly says all motorcycle drivers.
Just FYI......and I'm sure not going to argue with an LTO officer when it says so on their website.

 

Help me here....here's the list of fines off the LTO site: The Land Transportation Office of the Philippines - Fines and Penalties
I don't see anything listed for not wearing a full suite of boots and leathers anywhere. ??

I have read on MCP (motorcycle philippines.com) that the whole situation of wearing full leathers, high boots, heavy pants, leather gloves and goggles was demolished. (rightfully so). Most here called it discriminatory to the poor. In a tropical climate where the humidity is so high, I simply call it a quick death! hahah

Imagine jumping on your 125cc honda wave to head to robinsons wearing goggles, heavy pants, full leathers, boots, leather gloves and walking in the door looking like a mutant ninja turtle! :-)

Mark

PS. remember when they said you had to paint your license plate number on your helmet? that never took off either as people have multiple bikes, backriders, drive a friends bike, etc et al

 

Oh, I agree completely with the fact that there are no fines listed. However, I also can not find anywhere on the LTO website that says to disregard any or all of the Administrative Order that I listed above. If any part, or all of it, has been changed, I sure would like to see that in print on the LTO website. The obvious question is "are the fines not listed yet?" (not up to date).
A little clarification would go a long way in print on LTO.