Commemorative Plates on the Loose!

I didn't fully understand how the rules go about using commemorative plates in your vehicle. I've been seeing quite a few vehicles sporting these custom plates recently so I decided to look it up.

A private van sporting an "MPD 111" commemorative plate.

According to an article in Inquirer.net, "Replacing regular plate numbers with a commemorative plate is a violation of Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines." It can be placed alongside or above the original license plate.

There was one vehicle I saw which had PNP vanity plates on both front and back. He must be feeling really powerful to be blatantly violating the law. I wish I had the time to snap pictures for sample.