"No standing on parking space" bill filed in Congress

Finding a parking space can be troublesome, especially here in Metro Manila where malls are always jam-packed with mallgoers. As a general rule, parking slots are always on a first-come, first-served basis – with the vehicle, of course.

However, some Filipinos for their own convenience, would have someone (or a companion) stand in and “save” a parking slot while their vehicle is on the way. This practice is frowned upon and often results in arguments over a parking slot.

Due to the rising number of incidents, including videos of people standing in to save a parking slot that went viral online, lawmakers have had enough and proposed a law that will prohibit and penalize such acts.

Yesterday, Akbayan Party-list Representative, Percival Cendaña, filed House Bill (HB) 11076, or “An Act prohibiting any person from physically occupying a parking space to obstruct a motor vehicle from parking and providing penalties thereof.”

Penalties

HB 11076 basically outlaws any form of reserving a parking slot by physically standing on the slot before their vehicle arrives. According to Rep. Cendaña, individuals who stand or loiter in parking lots can be subjected to up to PHP 10,000 in penalty, with the possibility of driver’s license revocation for repeat offenders.

“This measure seeks to put an end to this practice by prohibiting the reservation of parking spaces through physical occupation by an individual,” said Cendaña.

Additionally, parking establishments are mandated to implement parking rules and display the penalties in accordance with HB 11076, if it becomes a law. Failure by the parking establishment to display such can result in a fine of up to PHP 50,000.