I recently got into a Facebook group comments section with the topic of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) regarding aftermarket lights, exhausts, horns, etc. It started with one complaint of a person who got traffic citations for his aftermarket blue corner lights and aftermarket exhaust on his scooter. He was basically saying that the LTO is somehow preventing him from modifying and ultimately “improving” his ride. He added that there are much more important issues to be addressed by the LTO than his “silly” offenses.
I commented with links to RAs (Republic Acts) and LTO memoranda which state facts about his complaints. Further on, he was basically nitpicking on these laws such as, how bright should the lights be to be considered too bright and how loud is too loud as there are no clear definitions. To which I replied that these laws and regulations were crafted such that other motorists will be able to use the road with him peacefully with no serious risks to life, limb and property. These went on and and on, with endlessly whining about how the LTO is not fair and is not able to implement it well, etc, etc. Fed up, I stated, that respect for other people’s right to use the road does not need parameters to be measured, and that he should ask his parents about respect for other motorists. Traffic laws and regulations must always be followed regardless of whether or not there is an apprehending officer present or not. That must have hit a raw nerve as challenges to meet him at some place and threats of bodily harm were issued. This went on with more of his riding buddies chimed in with the same threats and challenges. Comments of “inglis kasi ng inglis, wala naman pala ibubuga”. I gave up and left the group.
| SUPPORT INDEPENDENT SOCIAL COMMENTARY! Subscribe to our Substack community GRP Insider to receive by email our in-depth free weekly newsletter. Opt into a paid subscription and you'll get premium insider briefs and insights from us. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter, GRP Insider! Learn more |
Are these the kinds of road users you would want to encounter on the road? It is a simple regulation, and they could not find reason to comply. It is no wonder why we have anarchy on the road every day. Traffic jams, traffic violations, traffic altercations and accidents, counterflowing, road rage, etc. are now very common.
It leads me to conclude that the overall attitude of our general road users reflects the kind of citizens we are. We keep harping on about CHANGE, big word for Pinoys. Yes we managed to elect Rody….. and then what? We are still the same bunch of Neanderthals. We are still the same selfish, arrogant, SOBs, who will try to circumvent laws, rules and regulations. We are still the same nation of people who cannot care less about what this country turns out to be, Rody or no Rody. We are still the same country of tambays and snatchers. We are still the same people, jay walking, wall-peeing, trash littering, pagpag-eating, awa-seeking bunch of Pinoy crybabies.
How dare we dream to move out of being a Third World country!
Hard hat, coveralls and safety shoes….. that’s my life.
We have to create so many detailed laws because we haven’t learned the spirit of the law, which is summarized in just three simple words in this video about Japanese society.
Also this:
“In Japan there are very few lawyers and the codes are mostly unwritten, but they are binding, nonetheless.”
– Greg Sheridan, Asian Values Western Dreams
People who you can trust need not be governed tightly and can work within high-level (and even abstract) governance frameworks. Immature untrustworthy people, on the other hand, need to be micromanaged and given rules that are specific down to the nitty-gritty.
That’s the culture forming the unwritten law that people tend to follow more than formal law. It’s really more effective because it’s more based on the heart and core of what people really want. Here in the Philippines, due to survival mentality perceived as the highest order, the tendency is to see other people as enemies for your space on the road. Thus, the reaction is to “make agaw” that space from others.
And Joeld, that’s always true, that how we behave on the road shows the kind of citizens we are. It demonstrates how each of us treats the public space.
That instance when people try to define that fine line between abiding and breaking a law is evidence enough of the intent to circumvent such law. Recognizing the basic purpose of a law/ordinance/RA on the other hand will not require specific parameters to be followed, in this case respect to fellow motorists/road users and for the safety of the majority.
I found out that when Pinoys are in foreign countries; with little infractions of foreigner’s law, they commit. They are punished, jailed or pay heavy fines. This is the reason, most of the Pnoys behave in foreign countries.
If they violate the laws in Saudi Arabia, for example; and a Religious Police, would apprehend them. They would be thrown into jail. Tortured by their Jailers, and whipped at the back with a “Rattan whip”…
If more serious crime they commit, and they are apprehended. The Saudis will cut their heads off. And they would come home in boxes .
Unless ,we punish these violators. No amount of who is in power, can discipline Filipinos !
Failipino arrogance is a map of a road that leads to bridges that are out.