Ruffy Magbanua
“What the country needs to develop is discipline more than democracy.”– Lee Kuan Yew
WHEN PNoy assumed the presidency six years ago, his first marching order of the day was rid the country of the “wang-wang” mentality.
PNoy banned the unauthorized use of blaring sirens (wang-wang), a crackdown directed toward the attitude of entitlement being held by corrupt government officials.
The sound of the unauthorized use of sirens caught his ire, and the “wang-wang” had come to symbolize abuse of authority by people in government.
The expression “wang-wang,” was derived from the blaring sirens of politicians’ and elites’ cars urging common people to get out of the way so they can easily pass through the street without obstruction.
It has become a symbol of corruption that has plagued the country for decades.
During his inaugural address, PNoy blurted out: “Do you want the corrupt held accountable? So do I. Do you want to see the end of ‘wang-wang,’ both on the streets and in the sense of entitlement that has led to the abuse that we have lived with for so long? So do I. Do you want to give everyone a fair chance to improve their lot in life? So do I.”
Aquino’s declaration of the policy was hinged at Presidential Decree No. 96 earlier signed into law by the then President Ferdinand Marcos on Jan. 13, 1973 that further strengthened its implementation.
The decree was aimed at “regulating the use of sirens, bells, whistles, horns, and other similar devices designated for the use of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, Chief Justice, Philippine National Police, Armed Force of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Fire Protection and ambulances.”
Aquino was known for strictly following his policy by setting himself as an example despite the privilege he enjoyed as President and Commander-in-Chief.
PNoy had never used sirens even he was caught in the middle of a heavy traffic or even if it means being late for appointments every now and then.
Right after the president’s inaugural address, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) immediately implemented the policy.
It has since confiscated several “wang wang” units from public officials and private motorists alike, a move which enjoyed wide support from the public.
PNoy had to keep his word by walking his talk. And yet the question as to whether his “wang-wang” policy had translated into economic gains, this remains to be seen.
Moreover, Aquino did outline a long-term economic vision to correct the wrong policies and programs of the past three decades but his best was not good enough to improve the lot of the millions of Filipinos now living in extreme poverty.
What PNoy has done were band-aid responses to the raging jobs crisis and worsening poverty and hunger coupled with the unabated problems on drugs, corruption and criminality, to name a few that the incoming Duterte administration needs to address pronto.
PNoy’s “Daang Matuwid” has turned out to be the ultimate frustration of the Filipino people, the very reason why LP’s bet Mar Roxas got the hard beating from Digong Duterte.
Undoubtedly, the Aquino administration has generally failed to implement many reforms to curb graft and corruption in the bureaucracy.
Fast forward: incoming President Digong Duterte has vowed to suppress criminality and drugs and corruption in government in his first six months of his ascendancy.
Duterte earned the nickname “The Punisher” because of his alleged involvement with vigilante groups reportedly responsible for the execution of drug traffickers, criminals, gang members and other lawless elements in Davao City.
Over a period of 20 years, he turned Davao City from the “murder capital of the Philippines” to what tourism organizations now describe as the most peaceful city in southeast Asia.
Davao is now ranked fourth safest place in the world.
Nonetheless, he has already drawn criticism this early from various fronts, particularly human rights advocates and some quarters opposed to his alleged “bang-bang” policy.
Undaunted, Duterte has issued a stern warning to all drug lords, rapists, killers, including corrupt people in government, to pack up before he sits officially on June 30: shape up, or else.
E-mail: ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo.com
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
