The biggest crime of the Republic

By now the MMDA and its chairman, Francis Tolentino, must have an idea of what it means to “reap the whirlwind,” after suggesting that the current vehicle reduction scheme commonly referred to as the  “odd-even” be expanded effectively to two days a week per number ending.

The fact of the matter is the MMDA paid an unnecessarily high price in terms of popularity for what I suspect was nothing more than a trial balloon intended to test just how violently people would react. The resulting response clearly states that private vehicle owners and drivers are fed up being the government’s whipping boy when it comes to remedial solution and predatory taxation. The public reaction in fact has unleashed what maybe the strongest and harshest condemnation of the MMDA so far in terms of the agency’s ability to manage traffic in Metro Manila, and has placed the MMDA under a serious cloud of doubt in terms of competence and management intellect.

The wake of anger also shows that private vehicle owners are not blind to the fact that the national government, all of its related agencies as well as most if not all local government traffic authorities, have willfully if not criminally abandoned their duties and allowed public utility vehicles, owners and drivers to violate every law in the book.

This is the biggest sin of the Republic. This is the single biggest systemic act of corruption that President Noynoy Aquino should fixate on if he really wants to achieve his “Matuwid na Daan.”

“Daang Matuwid” should begin “sa daan” where we can all be equal under the law.

If no less than officials at the LTFRB admit that the number of illegal buses operating on EDSA are five times the legal limit, why is nothing being done about it? If the LTFRB officials admit that the government is being cheated out of millions from franchise fees that are grossly disadvantageous to the government, why is nothing being done about it? If the LTFRB admits that they have no law enforcement capability, why has the Executive as well as Congress not stepped in?

It’s all because of the systematized corruption within the agencies of the DOTC, the local governments and the MMDA, even the DENR. The leadership may be clean but omission to address the glaring violations on roadworthiness, smoke belching, safety factors and driver literacy and competency are just some of the many violations they are consistently blind to.  

I am convinced that if the President and his people actually embarked on an all out imposition of all traffic laws in and around Metro Manila they would solve our traffic congestion, increase respect and adherence for the law and drastically reduce the “yabang” or arrogance of Filipinos who have come to believe that they are the law unto themselves. Contrary to online claims, the Filipino is not the most narcissistic on the planet; they simply behave as one above the law.

National progress can only come from national discipline. The tiny island state of Singapore used to be the butt of jokes for being a “Fine state” because they always fine people for every little violation. Jaywalk and you are fined. Chew bubble gum, spit or litter and you get fined. Block the road, sidewalk or passage way and you are fined. The fine state is the perfect example that when the law and subsequent fines are imposed society and government benefit together. With less violators you have less monitors. With more violators the state earns more revenues. 

On the other hand the Philippines has so many royalties and celebrities. When they go to church, they refuse to park and walk a hundred meters away but instead will double or triple-park because they actually think they are the sons and daughters of God. Forget the teachings on obedience and respecting the law, that doesn’t apply to the children of God, right?

At the grocery, they stand in long lines waiting for baggers to pack their groceries because royalty can’t get their hands dirty, break their nails or lift heavy bags. At schools they flash their celebrity status by flashing their blinkers because that’s what royalty and celebrities do during motorcade and that allows them to obstruct traffic. And when they get arrested for violating traffic laws, they start reciting their royal lineage of idiots that make them exempt from tickets and fines.

In one way or another we have all violated the law because we can. An all out campaign to establish discipline on the road will make all of us realize that we must now discipline ourselves, and when we do that then our families will be disciplined, and then our community will be likewise.

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Mea culpa – Me – a - palpak.

Yes I committed a blunder but I did not realize that it was tantamount to sacrilege judging from the public response. I of course exaggerate but last Wednesday, I made the serious mistake of writing that the line: “What we have here is a failure to communicate” came from the movie “Easy Rider.” I was wrong and the throngs of movie loving Filipinos made extra effort to point out my sacrilege through email. I still have to decide which was harder, finding the appropriate response or having to answer the emails one by one.

The line apparently came from the movie “Cool Hand Luke” starring Paul Newman who portrayed an ex-con who was perpetually trying to find ways of escaping. Realizing my error, I made it up to the loyal Paul Newman fans by promising to make the correction and emphasizing my effort to do so by quoting my favorite line from said movie which is: “I’m shakin it boss, I’m shakin it!”

In all seriousness, I really appreciate the sincere, gentle and kind correction of the very people I write for and whom I share my views with. May you all “Live long and prosper.” Who said that line and from what movie? (He he he)