4Ps Party-list Representative JC Abalos is urging Congress to pass a measure that institutionalizes fair accountability in road incidents, following the death of a student who fell from an LRT-1 station and was later struck by a passing vehicle.
Abalos said his proposed House Bill 110, or the Philippine Responsible Driving and Accountability Act, seeks to balance justice for victims while protecting drivers from automatic liability in unavoidable accidents.
“While we mourn the loss of a young life, we must also protect innocent citizens from the trauma and legal burden of being held responsible for incidents that were entirely unavoidable on their part.”
The lawmaker noted that drivers are often immediately blamed or detained even when evidence shows no negligence. Under HB 110, liability would not be presumed in cases where no traffic violation was committed.
Filed on July 29, 2025, the bill is now pending before the House Committee on Transportation.
It proposes clearer definitions of driving-related incidents, identifies aggravating and mitigating circumstances, and reiterates shared responsibilities in ensuring road safety.
The proposal gained attention after police cleared the driver involved in the February 11 incident, citing CCTV footage that showed he was not at fault.
Abalos emphasized that the measure aims to promote responsible driving while ensuring fairness and due process under the law.