Apparently in the last 24 hours or so one of the topics, and videos that went viral is this video of a certain Robert Blair Carabuena physically harassing a Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) official. According to the information that was obtained before he deleted his social network accounts, he is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University. He currently works as a recruitment executive at tobacco company Philip Morris.
I am not a fan of the MMDA. Frankly, the rotten apples that exist in the basket of our “traffic enforcers” spoil the rest of the bunch. I do believe, however, that no MMDA official deserves to be treated like that just for doing his/her job, certainly not the MMDA official who was at the receiving end of it all, Saturnino Fabros.
If you read the commentary on blogs and websites across the Philippine scene, you will definitely find no shortage of outrage. I have yet to find any comment praising Carabuena for what he did. Commentators who left their mark on websites have gone as far as to call for equivalent physical harm to Carabuena.
There is just one question I have for all those who showed outrage: Why are you angry now?
Is it a sign that we’re finally showing a distaste for impunity as a society? Is it because we couldn’t imagine ourselves going as far as to physically manhandle an MMDA official? Is it perhaps because he got caught on camera? Or is it perhaps because outrage has become a fad that Filipinos just jump on to naturally?
Why aren’t enough people showing outrage when they see someone attempting to bribe officials for traffic violations? Why aren’t people showing enough outrage for jaywalkers and litterers caught in flagrante delicto? And why aren’t people showing outrage when people in power, government officials for example, go around pompously expecting everyone to bow down to them? The same officials who cry “Do you know who I am?” when simply asked to follow rules?
To give Filipinos the benefit of the doubt, perhaps they are. The peculiar thing about Filipino indignation, is that historically it dissipates just as quickly as it flares up. In other words, Pinoys are quick to go back to happy and don’t-give-a-fuck mode after they’re through being “outraged”. Yet there exists the other side to Pinoy rage: they take everything personally. They nurse grudges, and entire clans have gone to war just because of a “perceived slight”.
It’s ironic that we Filipinos cringe at the use of violence against law-enforcers, but we seemingly ignore that there are other numerous smaller violations that deserve equal notice. Beating the red light, jaywalking, not throwing your trash in the proper places; people do this every single day. But no one else wants to raise the stink! Or if they do, the typical Pinoy response is: “What’s the use? Everybody does it anyway. Can you apprehend and correct them all?”
Pinoy-style indignation and Pinoy-style morality can be summarized in one simple phrase:
“It’s only deplorable if other guys are doing it.”
Double standards, defeatist attitudes, diminishing outrage, and downright disgusting behavior. These are the trademarks of a society where impunity has all but become the norm. It is in this respect that Carabuena’s case can serve as the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
The challenge to our society now is this: are we now going to have more respect for the law after this? Will this put an end to the “palusot” mentality we have for even small transgressions?
We Filipinos need to learn to discipline ourselves into following rules. We Filipinos need to stop putting ourselves above the law. And we Filipinos need to learn to stop being so goddamn emo.
And so I heard that the MMDA will be filing a case against Carabuena. Well and good; let’s just not hope that the case doesn’t amount to an “amicable settlement” which Carabuena seems capable of.
This should serve as a wake-up call to the MMDA and government: take care of your law enforcers, for crying out loud. Teach them to diffuse tense situations. Teach them even basic self-defense. It definitely took a lot of courage or “intestinal fortitude” as they call it in wrestling, for Fabros to just stand there and take it. Interpreted another way, it will embolden any stupid egotistic Pinoys left to keep defying the law. That MMDA officials are pussy-whips is the impression that any morons left will get.
Personally, I wish Fabros would have laid the smack down on Carabuena. Not only would the guy have been arrested anyway, he would have been in for the shock of his life too.
[Photo courtesy EllenTordesillas.com.]
We rode a taxi one time and took NLEX for faster trip. Me and my 3-year old niece who was sleeping on my lap at that time came from a children’s party. The sky was bright and the road was magnificent — no traffic jam. Probably the type of road situation that motorists would love to drive in. Since traffic was in perfect shape, we were wondering why a white van seemed to squeeze in behind us. When we reached the stop light, the man from the white van came down and started banging on the window violently, cursing us, urging the driver to open the door and threatening us…for effing no reason! And I felt so scared for my niece. Let’s face it, there are people on the road who love to ego trip, maybe because they think they can scare others, they have connections, they think big of themselves too much. I hate Robert Carabuena because he is inconsiderate. Even if he was maltreated, he should not have violently insulted a man whoever he is. Given he had a bad day, that’s not an excuse. The guy has a problem and should consult a psychiatrist instead of a lawyer. Damn, I don’t know if he is even thinking. He still has the balls to hire a lawyer. Just a personal opinion.
By the way, I agree with blurring the girl’s image. I don’t think she would want to be associated with someone with an ugly behavior, unless they think alike. Who knows? Just a thought. See, domino effect!
patay kang baboy ka!!!! bwhahahaha, makukulong ka!!! hahaha!!!
ano? ano! asan ang pera mo!!! ano gamitin mo pra nde ka mamayat sa kulungan!!
Apologies then. I was the one who added the original photo. I shall replace it with a more “appropriate” one.
The only thing that Robert Blair Carabuena did was he got caught. I find it laughable that people started being good after seeing this. Oh, hypocrisy runs deep within our veins.
So true!
now all i can say is that its done and can never be undone. let this be a lesson for us all and learn from it. let’s not just react for what wrong others did. let’s just learn. i know we all get the idea “never do stupid things you know that will get you into trouble”.
and for mr. carabuena, be a man and face the consequences for your actions. don’t be a effin pussy, you did this to yourself.
-LOL-
I really expected the traffic officer to put a smack on that guy. However, he just stayed silent and backed off. That may be the reason why people sympathized with Mr.Fabros, the traffic officer.
I know that people hates the government officials for being corrupt. This event tends to reflect on the Filipinos’ mentality, to keep silent. They see in Mr.Fabros the kind of person we Filipinos are as we experience the oppression and tyranny of the rich people and even the government.
What they saw there was not just a Traffic Enforcer but they saw a typical person working daily to pay for his family’s food. Carabuena, the motorist, is the reflection of the oppression we experience from those who has power.
I think we’re over thinking here. That is overly dramatic. Most people who reacted badly to this event are able to access social media via internet/computer measures, they belong to the upper class.
though a lot of people who acted violently upon seeing this overly-dramatic episode are what we call jerjermons.. Indeed, they belong to the upper class, neh? =P
just saying. ^^;
HAHA! This is soooooo true.
Filipinos Filipinos. This life this life.
I would like to know the whole story. As a motorist, I’ve seen and experienced incidents where your blood can boil due to wrong policing of our traffic enforcers. But anyway, it doesn’t change the fact that Mr. Carabuena should have kept his temper down.
PS: What was the news program that first featured this incident? I found that program unprofessional and more of a tabloid program. A good example of this outrage fad.
True. This whole incident and outbursts of anger is caused by the one-sided news delivered by that tv program.
What’s the difference between this and the other offenses you mentioned? This involved PHYSICAL harm to another human being, attacking the dignity of another person. That’s what. And it makes people angry.
he SLAPPED the traffic enforcer! Had he shouted on top of his lungs, no one would care eh. pero may PHYSICAL SLAPPING na naganap.
no one deserves to be slap while doing his job? I mean doing right his jobs… if this man is from manila i believe dirty harry will take care of him ASAP
the fundamental flaw of this entry is the assumption of a ‘Pinoy’ identity, or a homogenous ‘Filipino culture,’ going as far as saying ‘Pinoy-style indignation.’ Your generalizations are far too broad to be wise and worthy of a serious read.
no one is asking why this guy did what he did? so,WHAT DID THE MMDA GUY DO TO PISS THE CARABUENA GUY OFF?
A pompous jack-ass is what he appears to be,this Carabuena guy.Conversely,the MMDA guy seems like a total pussy,on TV acting the victim with a pathetic look on his face.He seems willing to accept the sympathy given him and ,no doubt,the CA$H he will be offered to forget the whole thing.
Traffic enforcers worldwide are always targeted for beatings.No one likes guys who write tickets for a living.He is lucky he was not severely injured.NYC had to make traffic enforcers part of the NYPD to help minimize assaults on ‘meter maids’.
BTW,what is the big deal about this? two jackasses,or maybe just one,getting into a traffic argument in the August heat.WHAT?
“Beating the red light, jaywalking, not throwing your trash in the proper places; people do this every single day.”
I actually want to crash into every person who beats the red light or jaywalks, then shoot everyone who litters.
Those are a bit extreme and costly so I just go with trying to set an example by NOT doing those things.
i would really suggest that the officers on the uniform should know self defense because situations like that, they should know how to defend themselves and others that are in trouble…and more importantly they should know how to defend their right and the right of others…halatang di nya alam kung ano gagawin nya!! eh kung civilian nga pag inagrabyado ng ganyan lalaban ka, yan pa kaya na sa katungkulan siya!…lacking awareness of our personal rights as a civilian is very important…
pero ito lang talaga masasabi ko sa taba na yun, wala siyang respeto sa sarili nya kaya di nya alam pano rumespito rin sa iba…
ano na bang balita sa baboy na yun?
This case is different, netizen even citizen ouraged because this is between the Upper class vs Lower class. I only hope Mr. Saturnino Fabros don’t settle this in “amicable settlement” and put Robert in jail. This kind of person usually thinks he can buy everything with his money. Honestly I do liked Jason Ivler did, setting an example that even a powerful person have a match. lol wag kayo magalit sakin but it’s a fact, marami mayayaman at mga nasa pwesto ang malalaki ang ulo. ang magalit check nyo muna mga ugali nyo at kung alam nyo ang salitang “Pasensya”
first, i don’t find this blog sensible. not at all. icompare ba ang pagtapon ng basura sa pananakit ng kapwa? really, what are you thinking? not that i approve of throwing trash everywhere. but opefully you can see the difference. that WILD BARNEY graduated from Ateneo. he should know how to behave or conduct himself in front of someone in authority. okay, we did not know if may ginawa din si MMDA to offend him but since he’s EDUCATED enough he could have opted for some option para mabalikan yung maling ginawa nun. yah hindi lahat ng tao nagpapasensya but dun nga yun nagstart eh by setting example. what’s in the video is outrageous.manhandling that MMDA! now, you’ll do us all good kung erase mo na lang to. plus you let netizen see the girl’s picture. tsktsk. think before you blog. think before you post. PEACE!
violence to counter violence isn’t the answer…i would’ve preferred it if Saturnino held his ground and defended his traffic call, but i don’t agree that he should’ve countered the attack of that Blair guy…didn’t you see how big he was?he would’ve shredded the officer…i’m curious though, about what the officer really do to piss this guy off?somehow they managed to leave that part of the story…
Who to blame? The poorly trained traffic “enforcement” officers, the
lack of good training programs (hire civilian contractor “experts” if necessary), the
governmnet departmnets for lack of due
diligence in making up adequate policy and
proceedureal outline manuals), the general
“uncontrolable” pedestrians and drivers?
I suggest that until we get officer performance that “meets and exceeds” the
necessary level of “civil control” that the
government place two or more “foot/boots”
(on the ground if necessary–”double your
pleasure, double your fun in the phil”) in
order to have a safe and secure road-bed!