Power tripping
By now, everyone has heard of the Maserati Mauler. That millionaire businessman who allegedly accosted an MMDA traffic enforcer who was taking a video of him in his ten million peso Italian sports car as he tried to make an illegal left turn. Seeing the enforcer, he decides to go straight and make the correct u-turn, but then accosts the enforcer who was continuing to film him. As per the enforcer's story, he was given the dirty finger, hurled numerous invectives and eventually punched in the nose while being dragged by the Maserati for several meters. There are videos of the incident.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino vowed to pursue the case and not agree to any kind of settlement. Settlements only make the law useless, which I agree. But after more than a day of being silent, Joseph Ingco, owner of the Maserati, comes up with his version of the events. According to him, he was the victim of the savage treatment by the enforcer, and feared for his life. He goes on to say that his family is now suffering from the cruel tirades and bashing on social media, and is asking everyone's understanding. It now becomes another case of "He said, she said". Right.
Chairman Tolentino stands by the testimony of Jorbe Adriatico, who has recently undergone surgery for his broken nose. Citing spontaneity when giving accounts of incidents, the one that is freshest is believed to be the more convincing. Ingco had more than a day to get his story straight, which is probably rehearsed. On the other hand, Adriatico immediately reported the incident to his superiors. Why didn't Ingco immediately report the enforcer? Surely he has the means to hire the best lawyers in the country and see that the enforcer is punished.
Here is where we can break down some points. You're a successful businessman, a millionaire. Why would you even engage a traffic enforcer in a verbal tussle, if you are sure you are not at fault? From his own account, he was not being flagged down by the enforcer but merely being filmed, which is why he accosted him. Wouldn't the video exonerate him of any wrongdoing? Why be mad at the continued filming? There are thousands of CCTV cameras that take videos of us everyday. Is that a reason to be furious because of the absence of any wrongdoing on your part?
As far as physical evidence goes, who among the two have a broken nose? That's an assault on a person of authority, which did not work well for that Carabuena guy who slapped an MMDA enforcer, also caught on film. He is now looking at his license being revoked. So much for buying a multi-million peso sports car. He claims to be a private person. Then why engage in something that would definitely put him in the spotlight? Had he ignored the enforcer, believing that he did not break any laws, and just went home to have his car cleaned after plying the dirty streets of Metro Manila, then he would have remained private indeed.
As many have already written, this is just another case of power tripping. Of arrogance, and entitlement. You're driving a multi-million peso Italian sports car, you have to be respected and treated differently than most mortals. Your wealth gives you the right to do everything, including being able to not follow the rules of the road. Nobody, especially not a mere traffic enforcer has the right to cite you, a wealthy Maserati owner much less film you. You are privileged beyond anyone else's dreams. The "wang-wang" attitude is your birthright.
Enough said.
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