Huli ka!

Did you know that there is a pending bill at the Senate to ban the use of low-numbered vanity (or protocol or courtesy) plates for all government officials below the president?

Here's an extract from the bill's cover page:

The Mandate of The Constitution cannot be over-emphasized. ”Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.

Many high ranking government officials and middle-level bureaucrats today roam our streets like members of royalty in heavily tinted vehicles sporting low-numbered car plates. They evoke a false impression that these favored few are exempt and insulated from the reach of traffic rules and regulations.

These low-numbered car plates smack of delusions of grandeur.

There is no legitimate reason for ranking government officials to be accorded this kind of special privilege. Since they are public servants, they should be at the forefront in observing road regulations that are to be followed by all. They should lead by example.

Click here to see the bill in full detail. And here's the link to the Executive Order governing the irissuance.

Dapat 'ata ma-prioritize 'to ng senado at kongreso. It's small changes such as these that will show the people that these lawmakers are really serious in making life better for their constituents, not just for themselves. Leadership by example should be their new motto!