‘Koko’s gene is LP’

Ben Contreras .

THIS is no longer just about buses plying narrow streets but also about delivery trucks with 20- or 40-foot container vans.

A bus tried to avoid another vehicle and in turn, his huge tire hit the one on its side. This happened two weeks ago on Sergio Osmeña Street where vehicles are allowed to park on both sides. Under such condition, turning it into a two-lane and two-way street may not be a problem at all if only the law on double parking has been strictly enforced. Alas, the enforcement of that law has been wanting.

Complicating the problem is the plying of buses during peak hours. A businessman complained to the office of the bus company and was allegedly told to file a case against them because they are not going to pay for the damage. It is their company’s policy that errant drivers should take full responsibility for the damage resulting from accidents.

Initially, it sounded like arrogance on the part of the management of the bus company. But after a conversation with its manager who was quite cordial and accommodating, it was learned that the driver and the businessman have reached a settlement though the latter has not been quite satisfied. He felt shortchanged.

I suggest, as the businessman also asked me to suggest, that buses should not ply this street during peak hours since chances would be that the buses would likely disrupt the flow of traffic.

That stretch from Recto Avenue to Cogon market has long been an area for hardware and construction supply stores, auto supply stores and motorcycle parts stores. It a very busy road. Some make the sidewalks display areas for their goods and repair shops for motorcycles. The city government and the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) are aware of the situation but are not doing anything to correct it. Why?

Some people miss the elderly white-haired citizen who used to do voluntary traffic work and reprimand double parking vehicles almost daily when he was still holding office in one building in the area. Many were witnesses on how he made friends and enemies for doing so.

Trucks carrying container vans should also avoid deliveries during peak hours especially in places where trucks need to maneuver and take time to enter the designated areas of delivery. Business establishments should cooperate at this point because the disturbance to traffic is terrible. In fact, business establishments should schedule their deliveries during lean hours when the streets are usually not busy. Would that be too much to ask for?

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When Koko Pimental was ousted, somebody asked why. “The gene of Koko is LP,” he said.

Is he insinuating that Koko has always been an LP by heart?

The Pimentels (old and young) are known to be close to the Aquino family, dating back when Nene was appointed interior secretary. I don’t need to repeat what people say. Many people in CDO have no special liking for Nene or Koko.

The PDP-Laban will lose its glitter. It missed its glory to go up higher in political prestige and integrity by wanton acceptance of turncoats from the LP to its fold, making it a super majority with a majority of LP turncoats. Today, Koko paid the price, a heavy price.

Look at the PDP-Laban in our city. Who are their not-so-new recruits? I leave the answers to our Juan de la Cruzes.