Duterte maintains ban on motorcycle back riding

President Duterte has maintained that back riding on motorcycles, even for family members, is still prohibited under community quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Duterte explained that allowing exemptions, such as for Cebu province's proposal, could lead to graft charges for giving undue advantage.

He emphasized that the law must be followed and that he cannot disregard it simply because he is the President.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año supported the policy, highlighting the difficulty of enforcing physical distancing on motorcycles.

Año also pointed out that the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 outweighs the convenience or potential savings of back riding.

The government's decision prioritizes public health and the lives of citizens over the ease of transportation.

Additionally, sidecars remain prohibited from national roads and highways, despite earlier clarifications.