Jumping the gun much?!? Philippine enforcement is going down the drain...

As per a friend: Cops have started apprehending vehicles using HID... As per LTO Chief Suansing's interview on radio today, they will be coming up with a memorandum stating the regulations for the use of HID and loud pipes/mufflers... Tell me, like I am a 5 year old, how in hell do we respect those who violate the rights of the people they are supposed to protect?!?

This only shows to prove the discrepancy and the unscrupulous activities that our enforcement engages in... There isn't a law out and they have jumped the gun and started acting even without a basis and IRR to guide them...

The Philippines, no matter how strong willed our leaders are, they have no control over the people they employ in doing acts that violate the rights of the very people they protect...

To our leaders, clean up your backyards!!! The country is getting more disgusting because of the attitude and foul practices that these government workers and enforcers are doing!!!

Hypocrisy at its finest...

This is a reaction to a post by a forumer in motorcyclephilippines.com...

This post can be found here: Thread

My statement:

Matinong rason?

You now seek matinong rason?

Do you think that the reasons behind the ban itself is matino?

This is the very hypocrisy that I speak of...

These people like to pose as if they know everything or anything for that matter even if they do not understand or even try to look at the real cause of the problem...

Bakit ang daming naka motor o naka kotse o dryber ng jeep, bus, taxi o tricycle o ano mang sasakyan na kung sino sino at halos hindi alam ang patakaran ng kalsada?

Bakit ang daming motorista, mapa kotse, public utility vehicle, motorsiklo at pedestrian na walang respeto sa kapwa o courtesy sa pag mamaneho o pag gamit ng kalsada?

With these two questions alone, you already know the cause of the problem and where to fix it... Yet everybody takes a shortcut and puts the weight on the end-users instead... Applying rules and regulations that violates the very conditions that apply to making such... Quick fix? Power trip? Segregation? Feeling high and mighty? Not only that, these regulations are not even well thought of and have no concrete basis... And what rubs salt into the wound is the fact that a mere technicality does not require them to show any scientific or statistical reason to apply such rules...

And with that said, the very people who should be initiating the change and making the streets safer for everybody are the very people who break their own rules and think they are above the very laws they create...

Ganun naman palagi eh... When people address and speak of the problems, the people who are infected with the vile issues are the first to call foul... First to say that the people against them are liars and black propaganda instigators... Funny how that works... Yet they cant even come out of the protection of anonymity and prove their assumptions of such...

Then they use the system that won by a mere technicality against everything else to support their biased opinions... Then they take on the forums and claim that these rules are just and fair because of a mere court decision that won on a technicality... Is there such a thing as fair and just anymore? We have seen how people get the far end of the stick because of these half baked solutions that they think of... Even if they are pledged to be serving the people, helping the people and protecting the people, they instead, put the people on the frying pan or the milking stable just to be able to say, "makapag implement ng batas lang"...

I don't know about you, but for me, I pay my god damn taxes so my government can serve me right... But the way things are going, the government only serves it self and protects it self instead of the people that puts the money in their pockets...

The solution is clear... But they turn to the ones they swore to protect and lay the full burden on them... While they enjoy the privileges given to them and walk above water...

I have lost faith in the government a long time ago... And I continue to loose more each day... Yet I push my self and my fellow citizens to keep up, fight for whats right and fair, stay with the struggle and even sit down with the very people cheating us out of our constitutional rights... Because I believe we can and I believe they should fix their own back yards...

They allowed the pasaways on the roads... They turn a blind eye on them and even, at times, lead them into doing violations... They put us where we are... And even how much and how hard we try to fix our selves and our fellow citizens, if the people who swore to protect the tax payers are taking a siesta and enjoying their salary while only doing a quarter of the supposed work they should be doing, nothing we can do can help fix the problem...

There used to be a strict standard in obtaining the right to be on the roads... Where is that standard? Nowadays, if you have money, you can get a license if you don't have any understanding or direct knowledge of the laws of the land... Heck, you can even get a license without knowing how to drive...

So tell me again... Is there really no sensible reason in feeling ill about laws such as this that repel equal protection from the laws and segregates us by class?

Then let me ask you this, do these people in the government and the tollway operators have the sensibility to fix the problem at its roots?!?

You assume that every sub 400 rider will only instigate chaos and end up in the grave if let in the tollways... While the reckless, arrogant and carefree are allowed to roam these very highways... What do you call that again? Oh yeah... It is called H Y P O C R I S Y...

Buti sana kung sa pagbawal ng mga sub 400 sa mga daanang ito ay sinasabayan ng pagiging strikto, pag apply ng tamang enforcement at pag sa ayos sa pag silbe sa tunkulin sa mamayan, then there wouldn't be any need for MRO or Gabriela or Piston and what not...

Hypocrisy at its finest... I sometimes ask myself why I even take the time and effort to battle these things even if there is hardly any positive change...

ONLI IN D PILIPIN...

Ignorance of the law?

Yes, Ignorance of the Law excuses no one... But the laws of the streets must be in check through careful screening of every driver who tries to get a license... Does that happen enough?

Just by looking and observing the riders and drivers out there, you will see that there are a lot of things that they do not understand... What contributes to this lack of understanding?

1. They are not screened properly
2. They have not gone through the licensing seminar that everybody was required to take when I first got my license
3. The lack of enforcement for the basic laws such as head light and tail light color is clearly evident... We see bikes as well as cars running different colors for their lights... A basic law that is being ignored...
4. The lack of pushing penalties to those who clearly violates the laws especially on public transport... It should be a zero tolerance regulation that if a public transport driver violates a traffic law, he gets stripped off his license since he does not only endanger his life but the lives of his passengers...

e.g.

Buses and jeepneys cutting 2-3-4 lanes to stop...
Buses and jeepneys swerving, dodging and bobbing on the road...
Tricycles doing sudden U-turns...
Taxi cabs doing sudden stops, u-turns, counterflowing, swerving, lane hogging, etc...

5. The amount of corruption on the streets that the departments concerned keeps on denying
6. The enforcement breaking the very rules they are trying to implement
7. The application of new rules when the old and basic ones are bing ignored
8. The application of new rules without consultation, proper dissemination, study, research and lack of Implementing Rules and Regulations
9. The lack of training for all enforcement
10. The countless self interpretation of the laws that leads to abuse
12. Poor road and traffic systems

I can go on and on with the problems and we can all do what we can amongst ourselves... But even if we go beyond ourselves and direct help and assistance to the departments on how we can help solve these issues, there always seems to be a reason for them not to do it...

But does that stop us? No... We still do what we can to keep on pushing for the proper implementation of the old laws and do what we can to provide as much information and suggestions for the new ones they keep making...

So back to what was said, what attributes to that lack of knowledge about the laws? It is simply, the lack of screening and guidance from the beginning of ones driving/riding lifetime...

Driving and riding tests should be mandatory... You fail, you dont get a license... You try again after a certain period of time... Much like the way it is done in the US and the way we used to do it...

You apply, you take the test... Not just written but practical tests as well... Just like the good old days... By focusing on this, you then filter out the continous growth of ignorant and reckless drivers out there... Then you work on stricter enforcement to keep everybody on check...

To be honest, the enforcement could really make a killing if the old laws are enforced to the letter... I can stand in one corner and get my apprehension quota in less than half a day by just catching each and every violator on an intersection... But the amount of selective apprehension and linency being given to people out on the streets makes it worse and worse each day...

Whether you like it or not, the truth still remains... What people see on the road becomes habit forming... Until they get so used to it, everybody thinks is alright... And enforcement practices lead to one thing... Double standards galore...

Running away from a check point... BAAAD Idea!

Got a text from a rider today asking for help... Apparently, he got caught after running from a checkpoint stop... And he was asking for MRO's help because he was told he is going to jail...

WT?!?!?! Jail? For missing a checkpoint?

So I rushed to his aid only to find out there was more to the story than meets the eye...

First of all, he was lugging his GF along for the ride when he went by the checkpoint... He was also without a helmet... And to make matters worse, he had no plate attached to his motorcycle...

The checkpoint officer, upon seeing his approach, went towards his path of travel to wave him down... As he approarched, he waved his hand... Thinking that he's a policeman also, he wanted to stop the rider to let him know or remind him that he wasn't wearing a helmet... So when the were at arms reach to each other, the policeman held him by the arm and the rider flung his arm to release the cop's hold and sped off...

The checkpoint chief, saw what happened and told the officer to run after the rider... They went into a mall and attempted to go into the parking to avoid the officer... But the building security stopped them on the entrance because they had to pay and was caught by the cop in persuit...

Result:

1. Serious disregard of a policeman
2. Reckless imprudence resulting in a chase
3. Disregarding a checkpoint
4. Riding without a helmet
5. No license plate
6. Resisting an officer of the law

Sad to say, upon hearing the officers account of what happened, the rider admitted to every single thing... Even to his attempt to run away... I can only stand in disgust and dissappointment over the rider... And he had me drawn into it as well...

And with the luggage and his beltbag, he would have been taken down because when he ran from the checkpoint, his appearnce would have given the cops probable cause...

Now he is sitting in the police precinct's office, girlfriend by his side, waiting for the officer to finish his report and his fate...

Not only is he going to get himself in jail (lucky if his parents can talk the police in giving him a lighter violation), he's going to get his bike impounded and his license suspended... Probably forever too... Not to mention th wrath of his parents after they find out what he did... Do I need to add the GF's parents in the equation?

Lesson:

Don't be stupid!!!

Unfair branding of motorcyclists on a major news paper

Wow!

It has been a while since we actually put something in here. More than a year ago in fact. Truth is, I have become so caught up in so many things that I have almost forgotten about this blog. I apologize to all the followers and truth be told, I wish I hadn't let go of it.

Anyway, a quick recap of what has been happening in the last year:

1. The RSA (Road Safety Act) as proposed originally by the Philippine Motoring Association has finally moved forward and we are seeing it's implementation in 2010.
2. Although the original AO was used for the motorcycle section of the act, we immediately pointed out that until the LTO creates a proper IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) for the new laws on motorcycles, it should remain in status quo.
3. The UP Law center is the one building the final draft for the act and we have successfully given our reaction paper and they have recognized our recommendations.
4. Besides the RSA, the DOTC has also put in two laws to help reduce accidents on the streets. The first one being the Automatic Headlights ON (AHO) and the Drink Driving law which addresses the number of drinking related mishaps on the roads today.
5. The railroading of the RFID who has met angry protests and skeptics deem it as another money making scheme by the LTO.

There are other minor projects taking place all over but all seems in check with the watchful eyes of vigilant riders on unscrupulous acts being perpetrated by our law enforcement.

And over the year 2009, we have sent over 50 letters of concern to the LTO, DOTC, PNP, LGU's for events that took place without the proper guidelines being followed.

Now comes 2010. We hoped for a good start but, early on, we were greeted with an article meant to degrade our already tarnished image.

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/wellness/wellness/view/20100105-245505/Motorcyle_morons

In the statement given by Gwendolyn So, the author of the said article, she branded motorcyclists as morons in general. Stating mishaps and close encounters with those behind the handlebars.

In truth, I don't blame her for being irked by these riders who bend the law to go around other people in the streets. In doing so, they catch others in surprise and disgust over their actions. This is something that we cannot deny and is a fact of everyday life.

However, as a journalist, she must practice responsible journalism. And the way she brought upon her article, she has broken two major rules of the journalists code of ethics:

V. I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my duties, nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature that may cast doubt on my professional integrity.

VII. I shall not, in any manner, ridicule, cast aspersions on, or degrade any person by reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.

(Credits to sk8er saix of MCP for this good find)

With that said, I believe that she has just made a very irresponsible piece of journalism. And I feel saddened and irritated at the same time that we were not given equal and fair judgment because of some riders who had a brush with her on the roads.

I understand and I admit to the growing number of irresponsible riders out there too. But I feel that the blame should not rely on them alone and all the riders for that matter. We should always look back at the source and the ideal solution to the problem.

The questions should be:

1. Who gave them their licenses?
2. Who keeps everybody on the road on check?

If we practiced the proper screening and testing of all riders, we could have filtered out some of them who do not fully understand the law.

If the enforcement does their jobs professionally and effectively, then all riders would be weary of their actions because they can loose their right to ply the roads at any given time they violate the rules of the land.

As for the author of the article, I have no other message to you except for something that another MCP forumer wrote and I quote:

The article, I surmised, was written at the height of the writer’s anger and frustration over what happened to her and her companions. What could have been a well-intentioned piece turned out to be a hateful bashing of all motorcycle riders. It should have been premised on pointing out the negative and eventually concluded on the subsequent lesson to be learned from the incident – moral and otherwise.

The writer should have focused on the two sides of the coin but obviously feeling so much aggrieved and “hurt” of what have happened, concentrated only on her own side. Common sense dictates that whenever one is to open a car door (whether on the left or right), one instinctively looks outside first to see if someone or anything would be hit by the opening door. Unfortunately, the writer did not even mention it, thus, figuratively – admitting an obvious fault on their part as well.

I could also somehow feel for that particular rider who opted to pass through the pavement “to avoid, possibly, a traffic-related scenario” (my assumption). It is a fact that because of its given footprint, a motorcycle could weld its way into spaces it could insert its way through. But I believe that this should only be done in extreme cases. In the absence of any life-threatening situation on his part, this particular rider is definitely at fault.

But the writer has no right to publicly brand all riders as morons. I beg to disagree.

Morons, in most cases, are learning-deficient. They could not perform simple tasks asked of them, however, mundane. If ever they do, repetition would be far-fetch. In more successful instances, they need to be scientifically trained to “master” any specific task Oftentimes, such tasks relate to being personally responsible for their basic needs like eating, drinking as well as personal hygiene.

I mean no harm to anyone with the above-quoted statements. I’m no expert psychiatrist, a trained psychologist nor a self-proclaimed specialist on the subject but having been exposed to people classified as morons, these are the primary descriptions one may have of morons.

Trying to learn to ride a motorcycle in five minutes? Uh oh, excuse me but this sounds too fantastic even for a very receptive learner. The writer tried to learn to ride a motorcycle and gave up after only five minutes. I don’t care enough for any reasons behind why she easily gave up but, look who’s talking?

In fairness to the writer, she has opened my eyes to the possibility of that specific incident they have encountered to occur (obviously because of some “equally-moronic” passengers). She has also shared, more or less, the infraction of that particular rider of passing through the pavement, which, upon analysis, also contributed to the occurrence of that unfortunate incident to happen to them.

I have learned two things reading this particular hate-laden article. One, I would not go anywhere near a car in filling stations lest I meet the article writer (pun intended) and give her a piece of my mind. But I guess this would not happen to me. I often line up my small scooter next to other motorcycles or scooters whenever I fill up and often end up chatting with my fellow rider/s. And also to avoid this usual lining up, I go to filling stations during lull hours (very early morning during weekends, sometimes lunchtime and even late nights) to fill up my nearly empty 5 liter tank. And every time I fill up, I also fill up an appropriate container that could hold at least 5 liters of my scooter’s precious life juice. This practice makes me visit the filling station only twice in a month, to satisfy my scooter’s usual fuel requirements. Second, I would try my best not to pass through pavements no matter what. If I’m not in any life-threatening situation, I would patiently wait. I would always adhere to only pass through appropriate pathways. One of my fervent wishes right now is for the government, both national and concerned LGUs, to provide a motorcycle lane for us – almost two million strong riders!

After reading and analyzing this article, I have resolved to be a more disciplined and responsible rider to avoid reading again another similar article in the future. I hate to admit that I was really pissed off with its message. Yup, we have the so-called freedom of speech but his one leaves a very very bad taste in the mouth. I am still pissed off until now but I’d like to believe that I’m writing this particular reaction, unlike the article writer, with a clear and objective mind.

(Credits to popstar of the MCP forums for this post)

So, if you do get a chance to read this, I hope that you do not forget that social profiling is not the answer to your woes on the road.

As for all the riders out there reading this blog, my message to you is:

Let us not be hypocrites. Some of what she said is true and the way were mobbing her shows that she is correct in some aspect.

You do not correct a wrong with another mistake. If you want to be heard and your opinion taken seriously by both sides, be civil.

Posting and replying with so much anger, hate and abrasiveness will only prove that bikers have the mob mentality.

Although the person spoke of riders in general, we know the truth in ourselves so why be affected? I know it hurts to be branded as something that you are not but, as a smarter and more civil human being, we should also know better.

What she did will only tarnish herself and her credibility by being biased and narrow minded against all riders. There are still civilized and disciplined riders out there and lets show her that she's wrong instead of enforcing her statements with our actions.

Just my two very worthless centavos...

To everybody reading this blog, feel free to post your opinion on the matter and please, try to make it as civil and as sensible as possible...