Motoring Today Column

Aug 17, 2016

New motoring laws that everyone needs to know

There are presently three new laws that concern motoring. These were three bills that were approved by both houses, the Congress and Senate that were not signed by outgoing President Aquino, which automatically lapsed into law 30 days after they were submitted for the President's veto or approval but not acted upon.

It is best that the public especially the motorists are apprised of these new laws lest they violate them and when caught try to invoke innocence of the law, "which is no excuse". And by the way, these new laws carry stiff penalties and heavy fines.

First is the "Anti-Distracted Driving Act", which prohibits drivers from using cellphones or other similar gadgets while driving, even while stopped in traffic or in a red light. Private vehicle drivers who violate will be slapped with a P5,000.00 - P15,000.00 fine and a possible suspension of license for 3 months upon third offence, while a P30,000.00 fine and a similar 3-month suspension of license will be imposed on violators driving public utility vehicles, school buses or carriers of flammable or toxic materials within a 50-meter radius from school premises.

Now there's the obligatory installation of speed limiters on all public utility vehicles (PUVs) and certain type of vehicles that's mandated by the "Speed Limiter Act" where violators would be prohibited to register or receive a franchise permit with a P50,000.00 fine on top. Also the license of the driver using a PUV without a speed limiter will be suspended or even revoked. Those who tamper speed limiters face a jail term of 6 to 36 months and a fine of P30,000.00.

Now carnappers beware, the new "Anti-Carnapping Act" makes the offence non-bailable with increased jail terms from a maximum of 17 years and 4 months to 20-30 years. Violators who resort to violence could get a longer sentence of 30 years and one day to 40 years. If the victim was raped or killed, offenders can get life. And those proven to have been involved in the concealment of the crime face 6-12 years imprisonment plus fine.

Don't say you weren't told.

Jeep's 75 years

Felix Ang's flagship firm, Auto Nation Group has a treat coming up for 4x4 enthusiasts and all those who have been aspiring to own one of the leading brands in this automobile genre-Jeep.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the brand, Jeep Philippines is thrilled to announce "funtastic deals" to bring enthusiasts to owning their favorite Jeep vehicles by way of Great Deals for the Jeep Brand's 75 Years.

From August 19, this Friday up to Sunday, August 21 only, Jeep Philippines offers the rare chance to own any of the much sought-after Jeep models - Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Wrangler for as low as P1,990,000.00.

If you find this of great interest, drop by Bonifacio High Street during the dates mentioned. On-site test drives will also be offered.

If you're a 4x4 enthusiast or somebody who's been salivating to drive and own a Jeep, perhaps you shouldn't let this opportunity pass. At the very least, test drive one.

Good news for Isuzu truck owners

For the longest time, whenever owners of Isuzu trucks needed servicing or repair, it would have to be done at their premises.

Well, Isuzu Philippines (IPC) would have none of that any longer with the recent inauguration of Isuzu Manila, a dedicated service shop that is specifically designed to accommodate Isuzu F-Series, C-Series and E-Series truck models.

According to an IPC release, the introduction of the new facility is their proactive response to present its clients the option of having their medium and heavy-duty truck models maintained and repaired at a dedicated service center.

IPC further said that Isuzu Manila's newly opened dedicated service facility also keeps in stock an inventory of parts and components for their trucks, a move that would cut the possible downtime caused by delays in the delivery of required parts to customers as against having on stock only parts for Preventive Maintenance Service.

Honda's Auto Expo

One thing nice about having a impressively developing economy, which arguable we are having now, is having a vibrant auto industry, which has been long considered one of the most telling barometers in determining a country's economic state of health.

And Honda Philippines, being in the midst of the fray in getting a fair share of the country's automotive market is coming up with the Honda Auto Expo, which is a display of their impressive array of models.

During its week-long display of an impressive line up of models at the SM Mall of Asia from August 11 to 17 and at the Trinoma Mall from August 26 to 28, Honda Philippines shall offer Low Cash Out and All-in Bundle Packages for select models like as low as P60,000.00 for the Honda City, P66,000.00 for the Mobilio and the CR-V for P50,000.00.

Representatives from Honda Philippines' bank partners will have their representatives will be present at the Honda Auto Expo to assist customers with Auto Loan inquiries, computations and possible on the spot loan approvals.

An aid to car buyers' decision-making process

If you are presently in a bind as to what vehicle to consider buying or which between two available models you should pick on, the Auto Focus website is just a click away from helping you decide.

The 'Head-to-Head' page contains feature-to-feature comparisons of a whole slew of models that belong to the same category, while there is also a dedicated page for reviews of almost all the models available in the country presently.

Another feature of the website is that you have a choice of getting all these information in print or with video, your choice.

And if you are a regular viewer of the TV show, Auto Focus and missed an episode, the website contains a whole inventory of all the features of past episodes archived. And all these are just a click away in the internet.

Auto enthusiasts' viewing haven

Tomorrow at 10 o'clock in the evening car enthusiasts can again feasts their eyes for 60 minutes on anything that's about the automobile and its industry as the country's premier auto TV magazine features a review of the Suzuki Ertiga and trains the spotlight on the 2016 Volkswagen Amarok and the 2017 Hyundai Genesis G80.

And for those in the market for vans, the SsangYong Rodius and the Peugeot Expert Teepee go head-to-head for a feature-to-feature comparison of these two remarkable people carriers. And aside from the latest news and developments in the local automotive industry the show will also have a special feature spotlighting the recent launch of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Auto Focus , the weekly automobile show airs on Solar Sports, Channel 70 on Sky Cable and Channel 35 on the Destiny Cable Network.

Happy Motoring!!!

For inquiries and comments (email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ray Butch Gamboa graduated from the College of Arts and Letters of the University of Sto. Tomas. It was a course that should have been preparatory to a law degree, but the call of broadcasting aborted his plans.

At the age of 16, while still a student, Butch tried his hand at disc jockeying, landing a job at Mareco Broadcasting Network’s AM stations DZBM and DZLM. From there, Butch moved on with his illustrious career as a popular disc jockey, riding the airwaves of Bob Stewart’s middle-of-the-road music at DZXX, and ending his disc jockeying career at ABS-CBN’s DZYL and DZQL.

From there, he stayed on with ABS-CBN, covering live the proceedings at the Manila Stock Exchange and eventually entered into the world of television sales as an account manager for the premier channel of ABS-CBN Channel 2.

In the early 70’s, at the outbreak of Martial Law, Butch was one of the thousands of professionals who woke up jobless when then President Marcos declared the new status of the nation. With the closure of ABS-CBN, Butch ventured into different fields outside of broadcast. He tried his hand and with ease and success at export (Costume jewelry), real estate (brokerage), and restaurants (fast food).

In 1987, after the revolution, with the broadcast industry back to its free state, and with its irresistible call ringing in his ears, Butch made his inevitable comeback and pioneered in a local motoring show, producing Motoring Today on Channel 4 and co-hosting with local motor sports’ living legend Pocholo Ramirez.

After 4 years, he ventured into another pioneering format by producing and hosting Business & Leisure, which was originally aired on ABS-CBN’s Channel 2. The format eventually espoused similar ones in other different channels. But the clones in due course faded away leaving the original staying on airing on Channel 4 and eventually on Shop TV on Sky Cable’s Channel 13.

The following year, the pioneering spirit in Butch spurred him to produce another TV show, Race Weekend, also on Channel 4, covering circuit racing at the Subic International Raceway after the motor sport’s hiatus of 17 years. But when similar shows with duplicated formats sprouted, he decided to give way and ended the program after a year, although still enjoying unparalleled viewership.

In 1998, when the local automotive industry was in a slump, Butch contributed his share to help the ailing industry by producing another popular motoring-related show, this time exclusive to the automobile and its industry—Auto Focus, which became a vehicle for local automotive assemblers and importers to showcase their products and dwell on the industry’s latest technological developments.

In 2003, Butch teamed up with his brother, Rey Gamboa who was a former Shell executive and presently one Philippine Star’s business columnist to co-produce and co-host the TV show Breaking Barriers on Channel 13. It is a talk show that features guests who are in the news and in the middle of controversies. The program ventures to draw deeper insights into current issues to learn how they impact to our daily lives.

Today, Motoring Today on its 28th year of service to the general motoring public still enjoys its unprecedented loyal vierwership nationwide while Auto Focus, after 16 years has firmly established its niche viewership among automobile enthusiasts and on the other hand Business & Leisure is on its 24th year dishing out current business issues and lifestyle features.

Today, aside from writing weekly columns for the Philippine Star (Motoring Today on Wednesdays and Business & Leisure on Saturdays) and executive producer / host of weekly TV shows (Motoring Today, airs Sundays on Solar Sports Channel 70, Business & Leisure, airs Tuesdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13 and Auto Focus airs Thursdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13, Ray Butch Gamboa is currently the Chairman and CEO of Sunshine Television Production and Marketing Services Corp., President of Gamcor Management and Development Corp., Chairman of Asia-Pacific Realty Corporation, President and Chairman of Socio-Communication Foundation for Asia and Founding Chairman of the Society of Phil. Motoring Journalists (SPMJ)

 

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