Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday (May 4) filed Senate Bill No. 2078 to strengthen the country’s anti‑drunk and drugged driving law in response to mounting calls from road‑safety advocates and victims’ families for tougher enforcement and accountability.
The measure, titled “An Act Strengthening Mechanisms Against Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs, and Other Similar Substances,” proposes to amend Republic Act 10586 or the Anti‑Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.
The Escudero bill intends to close enforcement gaps that have led to downgraded cases and delayed justice in fatal crashes such as the case that claimed the life of 23‑year‑old Cebuano entrepreneur Kingston Ralph Cheng early this year.
The veteran lawmaker said the decade‑old law must be updated to reflect present‑day realities and ensure swift, credible testing after road incidents.
“Hindi dapat nagiging butas ng batas ang mabagal o kulang na aksyon sa mga insidente ng pagmamanehong lasing,” he stressed, adding that the bill directly addresses public frustration over weak enforcement.
Under SB 2078, law‑enforcement officers would be required to conduct field sobriety, breath, chemical, and drug screening tests within two hours of a crash resulting in injury or death. The bill also introduces administrative sanctions for officers who fail or refuse to perform these tests within the prescribed period to ensure accountability and compliance.
It further sets clear and definitive blood‑alcohol concentration thresholds anchored on vehicle type and driver classification, increases penalties under RA 10586 to restore the law’s deterrent effect while keeping sanctions proportionate, and upholds the integrity and reliability of evidence by minimizing opportunities for evasion or delay.
These mirror the stricter thresholds outlined in House Bill 8939 filed recently by Cebu City Rep. and House Deputy Majority Leader Eduardo Rama Jr., which proposes a 0.00 percent limit for high‑risk groups and a 0.02 percent limit for private motorists.
“Kung may nasaktan o namatay, dapat awtomatiko at mabilis ang pagsusuri. Hindi puwedeng hintayin pang mawala ang ebidensya bago kumilos,” Escudero said.
Acting urgently on the measure would honor victims like Cheng by ensuring that impaired driving is met with swift, consistent, and credible enforcement, he added.
“This bill is about saving lives and restoring public trust in the law,” the senator concluded.
