A bill filed in the House of Representatives last week sought to put an end to the happy days of “kotong cops” by posing severe punishment to erring lawmen caught abusing motorists and vendors.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara proposed 12 years’ jail time and two-rank demotion to members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other government agencies proven to have abused their power.

Angara said his “Act Penalizing the Commission of the Act of Kotong Committed by Law Enforcement Officers and Public Officials and for Other Purposes” also targets barangay officials, and enforcers of local government units (LGUs).

“It is more regrettable to note that the customary victims are the lowly wage earners such as taxi, truck, bus drivers and even sidewalk vendors whose hard-earned money is taken away in exchange of non-apprehension for committing a minor offense,” Angara said.

The veteran legislator explained that even though laws such as the PNP Reform Act and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act already exist, these have not been enough to eradicate the culture of bribery among government officials in the country.

“This bill seeks to provide a more stringent measure to penalize violators in order to restore the dignity bestowed upon every public official who has taken the oath to serve the public with complete honesty and integrity,” he added.

Under his bill, a policeman found to have accepted a bribe will be fined P10,000 on top of 12 years imprisonment and automatic dismissal from his post or demotion to two ranks lower.