Stricter Drunk Driving Laws Proposed in the Philippines

Sen. Erwin Tulfo wants drunk driving laws in the Philippines to become far harsher — and this time, even passengers and vehicle owners could get punished.

Under Senate Bill No. 2170, Tulfo is pushing to expand criminal liability not just to drunk drivers, but also to people who knowingly allow intoxicated individuals to drive their vehicles or willingly ride with them.

The proposal would also massively increase fines, impose longer driver’s license suspensions, and immediately confiscate licenses while cases are ongoing.

Tulfo cited alarming figures from the Land Transportation Office showing drunk driving allegedly causes up to 12,000 deaths every year in the country.

He also pointed out that 736 out of 984 driver’s license cancellations in 2024 were linked to drunk driving violations.

Even more shocking, studies reportedly show that around 30% of Filipino motorists admit to driving after drinking alcohol at least occasionally.

Under the proposed law, drunk drivers caught without causing injuries could face up to three months in jail plus fines reaching P100,000.

If injuries happen, penalties could climb to P300,000 plus prison time, while drunk driving cases involving deaths could trigger fines as high as P1 million on top of homicide charges.

Tulfo said the current penalties are no longer enough to stop reckless behavior on Philippine roads and stressed that stronger laws are needed to protect motorists and pedestrians.