Much ado

It was rather unfortunate that the issue of acquiring a new presidential vehicle has been trivialized. No matter what political affiliation one belongs to, the proposed acquisition of a new presidential vehicle should really be a non-partisan issue because this involves nothing less than the life and safety of the country’s highest elected official.

What made the proposal controversial at this time perhaps were the timing and manner it was presented to the public. At least 200 members of the House of Representatives signed House Resolution 2191, urging the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to boost the security for President Aquino by acquiring not only a bulletproof but also a bombproof vehicle that could best protect him from any armed threats.

The three-vehicle official presidential fleet at Malacañang Palace — consisting of two German-made Mercedes-Benz W221 S-Class limousines acquired in 1998 and a Mercedes-Benz S-Guard automobile bought in 2007 — is “in a sorry state unfit for use by the Chief Executive,” the House resolution stated.

If it was acquired in 1998, one of the two Mercedes-Benz limousines could probably be the one donated by the late brother of former President Joseph Estrada. Barely warming his seat at Malacañang, popularly elected ex-President Estrada came under severe attack from his critics after he got this new presidential vehicle.

At the time he took office, Mr. Estrada inherited the bombproof Mercedes that was extensively used by his immediate predecessor, former President Fidel Ramos in his travels from Aparri to Sulu. The presidential car was loaded onto a C-130 cargo plane wherever Mr. Ramos had provincial sorties. Actually, this Mercedes was previously inherited by Mr. Ramos from P-Noy’s late mother, former President Corazon Aquino. It was a donation by the government of Germany. 

So when Mr. Estrada assumed office, this Germany-donated Mercedes had more than its share of mileage and wear and tear. A highly paid doctor in the United States, Mr. Estrada’s late elder brother donated his slightly used Mercedes as a gift after he won the presidency. It was flown all the way from the US where it was bought.

But even if the imported Mercedes was donated, Mr. Estrada’s bitter critics scored him when this was brought in tax-free. For a while, it was a PR nightmare for Mr. Estrada. So P-Noy should expect getting the same kind of flak no matter how popular he is.

In the House Resolution, it cited “the two 1998-model vehicles are already unreliable because of wear and tear, and the relatively newer one bought in 2007 has been beset with intermittent, computer-related engine failures ever since it was submerged in floodwaters during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy.” This was when the Pasig River, along which Malacañang complex is located, overflowed in September 2009.

Presumably, the information came from the motor pool division of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) as the primary maintenance crew in charge of the presidential fleet.

The PSG has stopped using the repair-prone 2007 limousine as primary or secondary backup vehicle for P-Noy. They have garaged the vehicle since it conked out reportedly while on the road during a presidential trip to Baguio City last year.

No wonder our 52-year-old bachelor President has not been using them but continues to ride in his own sports utility vehicle (SUV) since he took office in June 2010. P-Noy subsequently replaced his SUV with a faster, sleeker car. Supposedly, he traded it in for a Porsche.

Although the Porsche was a personal acquisition, P-Noy came under fire, especially from his arch critics. P-Noy had to totally part ways with his Porsche after he reportedly figured in a minor speed bump accident. P-Noy is back to riding a much sturdier SUV that more or less conforms to security requirements of the PSG.

The House Resolution cited the need to acquire a new presidential car equipped with the latest security features that will enable the PSG to protect the President from possible terror threats. “The three vehicles’ dealer — CATS Motors Inc. — that is also in-charge of maintaining these cars, has given up on the 2007-acquired vehicle after repairing it six times since Ondoy’s attack, and already advised the PSG against deploying it for the President’s use as it could malfunction anytime,” the House Resolution added.

The lawmakers suggested to the DBM to realign funds from government savings for this long-needed acquisition of a new state car for the President. The lawmakers pointed out that “the President’s ‘no wang-wang’ (siren) policy, and his strict orders for his security detail to stop their convoy whenever the traffic lights turn red, has made the Chief Executive far more vulnerable to possible terrorist attacks.”

Obviously, the PSG did not or failed to include in their annual budget request to Congress acquisition of a new presidential vehicle. 

However, both the Office of the President and the PSG had much earlier sought the delivery of rocket launchers to add to its armory. The delivery of P37.44-million worth of multi-purpose rocket launchers for the PSG is expected in October this year. The project entails the acquisition of 33 units of shoulder fired rocket launchers for offensive and defensive operations.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) swore this arms acquisition by the PSG has nothing to do with alleged coup threats against their incumbent Commander-in-chief.

The House Resolution came several days after President Aquino revealed having uncovered purported plots to remove him from office before his term ends in 2016. The Chief Executive bared the alleged ouster plot on him during the PSG founding anniversary program.

Incidentally, the House Resolution was signed and co-authored by the same members of the 15th Congress who comprised the so-called “Movement 188.” These are the same House members who signed the fast-tracked impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona. Hence, the proposed acquisition of a new presidential vehicle became controversial when it should not be an issue at all.

Sadly, there is so much ado over nothing at all.