Senator Bam Aquino has filed a bill seeking to tighten the country’s existing law against drunk and drugged driving, citing rising cases and the growing number of young Filipinos affected by road accidents.
Under Senate Bill No. 2068, Aquino aims to amend Republic Act No. 10586, which he said no longer reflects current conditions on Philippine roads. Data from government reports show that road crashes remain a leading cause of death among the youth, while drunk driving incidents have surged by over 255 percent compared to the previous year.
Aquino said the law, originally intended as a deterrent, has fallen short in preventing impaired driving and ensuring accountability. “Too many lives are being lost, and too many drivers still take the risk of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated,” he said.
He pointed to the case of 23-year-old Kingston Ralph Cheng, who died in a hit-and-run incident in Cebu City in February 2026, allegedly involving a drunk driver. Aquino said the case exposed a critical loophole in the current system, where delays in testing can make it difficult to prove intoxication.
“Under the present law, a suspect may evade liability simply by delaying testing. That should not determine whether justice is served,” he said.
To address this, the proposed measure introduces stricter and science-based blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits of 0.02 percent for novice and professional drivers, including public utility vehicle operators, and 0.03 percent for private motorists.
The bill also adopts an “implied consent” provision, meaning drivers automatically agree to undergo alcohol or drug testing as a condition of holding a license. It further requires that individuals involved in road incidents undergo chemical testing within two hours, with law enforcers and medical institutions mandated to ensure prompt compliance.
Another key provision allows the use of retrograde extrapolation, a scientific method used to estimate a driver’s blood alcohol level at the time of the incident based on later test results.
Beyond enforcement, Aquino said the proposal also focuses on prevention and rehabilitation. Offenders would be required to attend accredited alcohol safety programs, while repeat violators could be required to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles.
The senator said the measure is anchored on a “Vision Zero” approach, which treats any loss of life on the road as unacceptable and calls for a more comprehensive strategy that combines stricter laws, better road design, behavioral change, and accountability.
“We need a system that is not only punitive, but also preventive—one that reflects the value we place on every Filipino life, especially the youth who are most at risk,” Aquino said.