Don’t get mad — get even

If you are one of those who will seriously be inconvenienced or oppressed by the latest decision of the Metro Manila Council of the MMDA to remove the “window hours” on the number coding; don’t just get mad, GET EVEN! Don’t vote for any re-electionist mayor who supported the decision.

For some inexplicable reason except uniformity or to have only one rule in Metro Manila, the MMC council announced that motorists can no longer drive in inner roads if their vehicle is coded. This is a complete surprise to many who never even heard of any public hearings or consultations. Even the organized commuter groups were not let in to the discussion.

So parents, students, employees and others are now left with the problem of how to bring kids to school, seniors to hospitals, pick up children and still go to work on a daily basis. Yes, the coding scheme only applies once a week but that was never the issue as much is it about mayors reinventing things to suit their needs but not considering the needs of taxpayers. In fact, this move is suspected to be in support of boosting certain businesses that could benefit if you can’t drive your car like taxis or Grab fleets many of which are owned by certain politicians or supporters of politicians. Once you are denied your freedom to navigate you have no choice but to use commuters services or buy a motorcycle!

Last week the MMDA seemed to be on the right path of lane delineation or placing dedicated lanes for vehicle type or purpose. When they corralled the buses along EDSA strictly within the Yellow Lane, people were overjoyed to see how much it reduced traffic congestion on EDSA. Everyone expected that the MMDA would be allowed to go on with their plans to assign a protected lane for motorcycles and ultimately assigning the leftmost/fast lane or overtake lane to be the HOV lane or Carpooling lane. But even before MMDA Chairman Danny Lim could say “GO!” the meddlers at the Metro Manila Council came to an agreement that there will only be one unified policy on number coding and that will feature a “No Window Policy” even for inner roads. The meddlers wanted the No Window Policy implemented immediately. The official explanation is: The MMC wants a unified policy and schedule for their number coding and to put a stop to renegade or elitists cities who create their own rules and laws regarding the number coding. So why punish millions of Metro Manila residents just because four or five mayors are so self-centered and entitled they decide to be different? 

Ironically the No Window policy is supposed to reduce volume in national or major roads where the “No Window policy” is already in effect and being followed by motorists/commuters. To impose the same policy in inner roads is sheer stupidity because most of the inner roads are not clogged except when local officials such as the Mayor do not do their job in disciplining their constituents not to park illegally or turn streets and sidewalks into rent-free business centers.

If you feel that this decision or policy is unfair or unjust, you can call out your mayor on social media and let them know how you feel. Better yet campaign against the re-election of these Trapos who  are no longer connected or considerate of ordinary Filipinos. Don’t let them make you a prisoner in your community; don’t allow them to take your freedom to navigate as a commuter in Metro Manila! Don’t just get Mad – Get Even!

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There are many ways of skinning a cat and one of them is to pass the buck or get someone else to do it. When Pontius Pilate could not find any reason to condemn Jesus Christ to death, he wisely passed the buck twice. First was to send Jesus to Herod Antipas who ruled over Galilee or the Galileans like Jesus. The second was when he turned over Jesus to his accusers and temple leaders while “washing his hands clean” of any guilt or involvement in the crucifixion of Jesus.

When Pilate did both, he did what was deemed politically and strategically correct. He pleased the powers that be and maintained his innocence. That history lesson is the very same template that Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto applied when he decided to sign and turn over the illegal or irregular 2019 Budget bill as “perfected” by operators in Congress who inserted or manipulated anywhere between 75 to 98 billion pesos to their districts if not to their favor. Senator Sotto did give me a heads up of what he was planning to do when he guested on our TV show AGENDA on Cignal TV. He specifically mentioned the possibility and practicality of endorsing the proposed budget to the President accompanied by a suggestion for the President to do “Line item veto” of the illegal insertions or tampering with the DPWH budget.

By doing so, Senator Sotto gave President Duterte a chance or choice to veto the irregularity and come out smelling clean and against corruption. By officially informing and formally protesting the insertions, Sotto effectively leaves the President with no choice but the best excuse to line veto the congressional insertions. IF the President inexplicably decides to sign the proposed budget in its totality, the President will effectively be biting into the poisoned fruit with full and official knowledge that the document is illegal and corrupted. God forbid that happens because it would be the beginning of the end not just for “Honesty” among politicians but “Integrity” among high government officials! Lets all pray for PRRD to veto the illegal provisions with passion!

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