PHILIPPINE SEATBELT LAW

Almost everyday I ride in a bus going to and from my work place. One time while i was riding in a bus, I noticed that the bus driver aske...

Almost everyday I ride in a bus going to and from my work place. One time while i was riding in a bus, I noticed that the bus driver asked the mother of a child who seats beside her and the driver (in the front seat) to transfer in the back or middle seats as it is prohibited for a child to seat in the front seat or beside the driver. I was so curious at that time asking myself if indeed there is such a law.
When i arrived home after office, i researched about this law which led me to PHILIPPINE SEATBELT LAW (R.A. 8750). According to this law, It is the policy of the State in enacting this law to secure and safeguard its citizenry, particularly the passengers and drivers of private and public motor vehicles, from the ruinous and extremely injurious effects of vehicular accidents. Towards this end, the State shall pursue a more proactive and preventive approach in order to secure the safety of the passengers and drivers at all times with the mandatory enforcement of the use of seat belt devices by the drivers and front seat passengers of private and public motor vehicles.
MOTORIST refers to the driver of a motor vehicle.
SEAT BELT DEVICE refers to any strap, webbing or similar device in the form of pelvic restraint or lap belt, upper torso restraint or shoulder strap or a combination thereof designed to secure a person in a motor vehicle in order to mitigate the results of any accident, including all necessary buckles and other fasteners, and all hardware designed for installing such seat belt device in a motor vehicle.
MOTOR VEHICLE refers to both private and public motor vehicle. But does not include the tricycle and motorcycle.
PRIVATE MOTOR VEHICLE refers to any of the following: 
1. Any motor vehicle owned by individuals and juridical persons for private use; 
2. Any motor vehicle owned by the National Government or any of its agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, including government-owned or -controlled corporations or their subsidiaries for official use; and 
3. Any diplomatic vehicle.
PUBLIC MOTOR VEHICLE refers to public utility vehicle or vehicle for hire.
FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS refers to persons on board a public utility vehicle seated at the right side beside the driver for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and to passengers seated at the right side beside the driver and those at the first row immediately behind the driver in the case of public utility buses (PUBs) and to passengers seated on the right side beside the driver for private motor vehicles.
Use of Seat Belts is MANDATORY. The DRIVER and FRONT SEAT passengers of a public or private motor vehicle are REQUIRED to wear or use their seat belt devices while inside a vehicle of running engine on any road or thoroughfare: Provided, That for private vehicles, except for jeeps, jeepneys, vans, buses and such other private vehicles, front and back seat passengers are likewise required to use their seat belt devices at all times.
In the case of public motor vehicles, the driver is required to immediately inform and require the front seat passengers upon boarding a vehicle of running engine to wear the prescribed seat belts. Any passenger who refuses to wear a seat belt shall not be allowed to continue his/her trip.
For special public service vehicles such as school services and other similar vehicles, seat belt devices should be provided and used by both drivers and front seat passengers as defined herein and the first row passengers immediately behind the driver at all times while inside a vehicle of running engine.
INFANTS and/or CHILDREN with ages six (6) years and below are PROHIBITED to sit in the front seat of any running motor vehicle.
This Law, in the interest of public safety, applies to drivers and front seat passengers of public and private motor vehicles and other vehicles.
Now, I therefore conclude that the bus driver was correct in his action. He knows the law indeed.

The author takes no responsibility for the validity, correctness and result of this work. The information provided is not a legal advice and it should not be used  as a substitute for a competent legal advice from a licensed lawyer. See the disclaimer

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