‘I hate traffic’

“I really hate traffic,” President Rodrigo Duterte declared. The President wasn’t talking about last weekend’s traffic snarls in Metro Manila. He was speaking about his pet peeve while he was still mayor of Davao City.

Whenever he encountered traffic in Davao City, he said he would personally find out what or who caused the congestion.

The heavy rains these past days have once again shown how vulnerable Metro Manila is not only to flash floods but also to the consequent traffic gridlocks. Last Friday night, we were among the thousands of Metro Manila motorists and commuters who went through several hours of travel getting back home from office.

Horror stories of being caught in traffic, accompanied by short videos and photos went viral on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites. At least, reading these traffic woes posted on social media kept me busy. Thankfully, the signals of my smart phone were not interrupted.

Instead of getting riled at being stuck in the car as rains intermittently pounded the metropolis, I was able to browse the video posted by the Presidential Communications Office on the courtesy call on President Duterte by The Philippine Star editors at Malacañang Palace last Aug. 3.

During his almost 20-minute interaction with The STAR editors, President Duterte recalled when he went ballistics after being caught in traffic jam in Metro Manila during the visit of Pope Francis in January, 2015.

“Natamaan nga si Pope kasi nagya-yao-yao ako (The Pope was hit by my peroration) but it was really unintended,” the President said. He was referring to the cusswords he dished out against the Pope during the campaign for the May 9 presidential elections. He had since then publicly apologized and sent a personal apology letter sent to the Vatican.

Hellish traffic could really piss off and at times could turn people crazy. At worse, traffic jams cause not only accidents but also homicide incidents. When motorists lose their temper (or lose sanity), they get into homicidal quarrel with fellow motorists.

That’s why, the President explained, he does not accept invitations that would take him out of Malacañang to spare the public from traffic caused by the presidential security convoy.

Last week, the Senate started public hearings on the proposed grant of emergency powers to President Duterte to fast-track solutions to traffic problems. It seeks to come up with legislative solutions from infrastructure support to re-engineering the flow of traffic in Metro Manila and elsewhere in the country.

However, the 17th Congress seems to be more preoccupied with Charter change (Cha-cha) initiatives to implement President Duterte’s campaign promise to shift the country into federal form of government. 

Much has been said about the planned constitutional amendments and the proposed shift to federalism. But the current debates are still on the mode of amending the country’s 1987 Constitution. While he was still a candidate, the former Davao City mayor preferred the mode of an elected constitutional convention (con-con).

But the funds to carry it out made President Duterte rethink his campaign stand in favor of elected members of con-con. Cost estimates given him by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno, the President revealed, placed it at around P30 billion. The Chief Executive pointed out he would rather spend such amount for most urgent “endeavors” like education and health programs to serve the greater needs of the people.

Thus, the President admitted to us he is leaning towards a constituent assembly (con-ass). This should explain the trend of con-ass now fast gaining support from administration allies in and out of the 17th Congress.

Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez filed the first ever Cha-cha bill under House Resolution No. 2 which offers con-ass as the next best alternative mode of amending the Charter. Proposals of amending the Philippine Constitution always fizzle out every administration. It can’t even reach first base because the sitting president’s motive is always questioned. Term extension tops the list of many concerns. 

But President Duterte – whose platform of government during the presidential campaign spelled out his desire to push federalism – could be in the best position to finally make it happen.

With an overwhelming mandate of 16 million votes tucked under his belt, President Duterte has the political capital to carry out Charter change without his agenda or motives being questioned. The 71-year-old President has repeatedly expressed no desire to stay a minute longer in office.

The latest pronouncement of President Duterte last week, in fact, was his willingness to step down if the shift to federalism is put in place after Cha-cha is completed within two years. His six-year term ends on June 30, 2022 yet.

Evil perceptions about con-ass include fears of railroading charter amendments. But under Benitez’s proposal, public hearings would be held by a so-called council of elders. They will do the preliminary studies, then recommend to Congress convening as a constituent assembly.

This should ensure that the draft to be presented to the people would not be the product of political machination. Ratification is still required. People would still vote “yes” or “no” in a plebiscite. There would be no short cuts.

But of course, opening the Charter to amendments will always stoke fears of abuse. That’s why eternal vigilance is required whether it would be done through con-ass or con-con.

There’s no denying that circumstances have changed 20 years after the 1987 Cory Constitution. The country can’t be held hostage by unfounded fears. Systemic changes are required if the Philippines wants to move forward and face challenges unforeseen three decades ago.

President Duterte and the country’s lawmakers are all pitching in to finally push long-awaited Charter amendments. Only time can tell whether they will succeed or not. But one thing is for sure. We, Filipinos, want change for the better.

In the meantime, however, the 17th Congress must prioritize the proposed “emergency powers” to President Duterte to immediately ease the grinding traffic jams in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized centers around the country. Our lawmakers should take the cue from President Duterte: ”I hate traffic.”