The drive would be relentless

We just had as guest the current no-nonesense chairman of the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), Atty. Winston Ginez on our 27-year old TV show, Motoring Today (Sundays, 12 noon, Solar Sports, Channel 70, Sky Cable) and our main topic was the present burning issue created by the issuance and implementation of the JAO (Joint Administrative Order) of the LTO (Land Transportation Office) and the LTFRB, which has increased several folds the fine and penalties for moving and non-moving traffic violations.    

As many of you would know, both PUV drivers and operators are vehemently against the JAO and have brought their loudly-voiced resistance to the highest court of the land for some relief by way of a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order). The core of their objections aside from the JAO’s pocket-emptying fines and penalties is ironically the prospect of having to pay “higher bribes” to unscrupulous traffic enforcers simply because the legal fines have been raised.

Hey, what ever happened to obeying the law, like not running colorum vehicles or going out of line so you don’t have to pay fines or settle for oiling the kotong cops’ hands? This question beats me no end.

Chairman Ginez just the same, addressed the apprehension of both drivers and operators regarding crooked traffic enforcers who would ride high on the increased fines and penalties by the assurance that only well-trained and trustworthy agents of the LTO and LTFRB shall be assigned to implement the anti-colorum and out-of-line provisions of the JAO with each one looking over the other’s shoulders and that they will be subjected to close monitoring and extreme sanctions when caught doing anything illegal.

“No, we won’t blink” was the quick reaction of the persistent LTFRB top honcho when I shared with him my almost three decades of experience covering the motoring beat and seeing time and again the government blinking whenever drivers and operators would hold rallies or even just threaten to go to the streets whenever there’s a poised move to strictly enforce traffic laws. “We would be relentless and the only thing that may set back our efforts is a Supreme Court TRO, after which we shall go unyielding to enforce the law,” the fast-rising strong-willed government official added.

We just hope no unscrupolous politician who would go for the votes of PUV drivers and operators would try to shoot down the uncompromising Chairman Ginez.   

Honda presses on its presence

Indeed, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.’s (HCPI) president, Mr. Toshio Kuwahara, is making good his threat or promise that HCPI would be making the motoring media very, very busy this year.

Coming very close to the heels of its third straight car launch this year, which was that of the refreshed Honda Civic, Honda Japan’s automobile business unit in the Philippines introduced last week the vehicle that’s been known to have started the hatchback segment way back in 2004. Now dubbed as “The One,” the all All-New Jazz was unveiled at the Metrotent in Pasig City.

The All-New Jazz is a global model in Honda’s line-up, and as such was developed with the goal to be “The World’s Best Functional Compact.” The development team who worked on the All-New Jazz was reported to have incorporated key technologies that intend to further improve the Jazz’s dynamic performance, fuel economy, and essentially, its versatility and functionality. The fresh and sporty new style of the new Jazz is claimed to be carefully crafted to realize enhanced aerodynamics.

The third-generation Jazz measures 30mm longer than its predecessor. As a result, the new Jazz has larger cabin space with substantial increase in passenger space, shoulder and rear leg rooms, and cargo space.

The increase in cargo space is best noticed with the seats folded down. The configurability of the Jazz’s Ultra Seat, which folds flat or flips up, gives the new car the versatility, to quickly and easily adapt to a wide variety of passenger and cargo-hauling needs.

The All New Jazz Ultra Seat has also been improved making it possible to have four seating configuration modes:

Utility Mode – with Ultra seat folded flat, the vehicle can carry two passengers and larger items

Tall Mode – with the Ultra seat folded up, the vehicle can carry two or three passengers and tall items with maximum height of 100cm in the second row

Long Mode – with the Ultra seat folded flat and the front passenger seat reclined all the way back, the vehicle can carry two passengers and a long item with maximum length of 226 cm

Refresh Mode – the new addition to the Ultra seat configurations; the front seats can be reclined to connect with the rear seats, allowing the driver and passenger to have in-car relaxation

“Like any other Honda vehicle, the application of the “man maximum, machine minimum” design concept enabled the All-New Jazz to achieve a compact yet highly efficient package, making it a small car but definitely not small in substance” declared Toshio-san in describing HCPI’s new offering to the local market. “Based on the “Sophisticated Futuristic Cockpit” interior concept, the already versatile and functional All-New Jazz is complemented by a cockpit that assimilates advanced and high-quality textures that adds to the fun of driving. It features a highly-visible “3-eye” design instrument cluster. Another addition to the advanced dashboard design is the push-start button. The Smart Key with Push Start System intelligently locks and unlocks the doors without even touching the smart key and a push button to start or turn off the engine” added HCPI’s very friendly newly designated president and general manager in his detailed description of what appears to be another winner in Honda Philippines’ present stable.

To fully experience the All-New Jazz, we suggest you drop by your nearest Honda dealership and have a most valuable test drive and see if it appeals to your driving soul.

And by the way, for the more daring and sporty, HCPI is offering genuine Honda aero and utility accessories that provide added safety, convenience, and style under the brands of Modulo and MUGEN; which are sold separately.

All the best to Honda Philippines! More models coming up, Toshio-san?

Voting for your favorite auto model has started

Check out the FACEBOOK account of the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards (AFPCA) so you can voice for the “2014-2015 Automobile of the Year—People’s Choice” (separate for Standard & Luxury models) together with your most preferred models and brands in each of the different categories of sedans, SUVs, pick ups, MPVs, etc.

There are daily computer-generated raffles with valuable items as prizes for all those who cast their votes. By the way, voting is now allowed everyday.

Happy Motoring!!!

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