Reckless endangerment

Awoman unlawfully dashes across EDSA and is hit by an SUV. The driver is required by law to lend assistance or wait until medical personnel or authorities arrive at the scene. That rule and obligation is generally observed around the world. But in the Philippines authorities particularly the MMDA seems to be of the impression that the driver “Must” lend assistance, pay for the hospital bills and even enter into an amicable (financial) settlement with the injured woman, or family of any idiot who crosses the EDSA illegally or places themselves in harm’s way! They call it “Humanitarian consideration.”

Early this year I wrote about a similar situation where another SUV driver was on the right lane and driving at the legal speed limit between the towns of Talisay and Tanauan in Batangas. Suddenly an over speeding motorcycle from the opposite direction crossed into the SUV driver’s lane and plowed itself under the SUV. The motorcycle rider was killed on the spot, the authorities arrived and the SUV driver automatically placed in a cell at the local police station. In the weeks that followed, pressure was put upon the driver by the victim’s family members and a local politician in Talisay to settle the matter out of consideration. Only when the driver hired a former fiscal as his lawyer did the intimidation stop.

In both cases the so-called injured parties caused their injury or demise but local officials and police investigators never even bother to consider the fact that those people recklessly endangered the lives of law-abiding drivers. Why is it that the PNP and traffic investigators automatically place guilt on all drivers and label the cause of the accident as “reckless imprudence” and not “reckless endangerment” on the part of the woman and the rider? This LAZINESS and bad habit on the part of the police and traffic authorities has to stop. It is pure injustice to blame innocent people for the lazy and hazardous behavior of others. If you’ve been a victim of such injustice, please share your story and actively criticize this bad habit and ignorance among law enforcers and local authorities. It is also time for the MMDA and the PNP to start filing charges against such jaywalkers and reckless drivers. Give them first aid yes and then take them to jail! Stop rewarding them for their selfish acts of stupidity!

* * * There is a story of a woman in the Bible who kept going to a Judge in order to get results concerning her case before the judge. The judge apparently tried to be dismissive about the matter but the woman simply kept showing up before him day in and day out crying out for justice. One day the judge decided he had enough and said I might as well deal with her or I will never get a day of peace.

With that in mind here I am again to bring focus on why is it that the LTFRB is still unable to come up with a formula or system that automatically computes for fare adjustments for public transportations every time fuel prices go up or down. It is bizarre that the fuel companies can automatically compute for price adjustments but the LTFRB persists on an antiquated, red tape ridden process of determining fare hike. Why torment drivers and riders alike when all the LTFRB has to do is hire a mathematician or an accountant to compute. That way, riders will also get a “rollback” when fuel prices go down. Chairman Martin Delgra should assign this project to a specific team and put an end to the waiting and guessing game!

* * * I have long been an encourager and supporter of the Land Transportation Office because I have personal knowledge of the personnel’s commitment and sacrifices in order to redeem their reputation from the disasters brought upon them by their former bosses at the DOTC during the P-Noy administration. Many gave up their weekends just to catch up on backlogs on undelivered plates and licenses, and the late nights and early dawn law enforcement operations against overloaded and smoke belching vehicles.

LTO people don’t ask for recognition when they do their job right, but I find it unacceptable when officials at the DOTr remain slow to give LTO people what is due them. For three months now, a number of LTO officers have been waiting for the approval and release of their promotions. First the barangay elections put their papers on hold. Then the person in-charge reportedly retired. One would imagine that the DOTr would be the first to encourage the people under their wing and would not subject them to RED TAPE. Do we have to call the attention of President Duterte just so hardworking career people get their just rewards?

There is at least some good news for 137 employees of the LTO under the National Capital Region or LTO NCR, who recently received promotions. In one particular case, it took 28 years for one employee to get a promotion simply because it was never the priority of past regional directors of LTO NCR. Under the new RD (Ret. Gen) Clarence Guinto the promotions were rolled out as recognition for the exemplary service and sacrifice that LTO NCR personnel have given in the past year. Interestingly, the process was done by a team of veterans; senior officers and recently retired LTO executives who knew the deserving people but were prevented from pushing for them because of decades of “Palakasan” and “Bata-Bata” system of the past.

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