EDITORIAL - Perks of public office

In the previous administration, there was a campaign to limit blinkers and sirens to vehicles used for law enforcement, fire trucks and ambulances. The campaign was quickly forgotten in the tumult that accompanied the change of government in 2001.

These days anyone can buy blinkers and sirens and install the devices in civilian vehicles. You hear the sirens and see the blinkers especially during heavy traffic. Some of the vehicles have no license plates. The National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force has started going after vehicles without license plates, with some success. NAKTF officials believe the campaign has contributed to crime deterrence in Metro Manila.

Now the Metro Manila Development Authority wants the task force to go after vehicles that are not authorized to use blinkers and sirens. The proposal is sound. But like the crackdown on vehicles without license plates, the biggest impediment to this new campaign, if implemented, is bound to be public officials themselves.

With horrendous traffic jams in Metro Manila, certain officials have come to regard those sirens, blinkers and security escorts as part of the perks of public office. The public won’t begrudge certain public officials the use of sirens and blinkers on their vehicles. The government, however, will have to draw the line. The President and Vice President have their respective security details and need no blinkers or sirens on their own vehicles. Supreme Court justi-ces, senators, congressmen and certain top local officials can enjoy such contraptions if they want. But what about the vehicles of their relatives and friends? Should barangay officials and councilors enjoy the privilege? And what about the uniformed servi-ces? Are all cops and soldiers authorized to use sirens and blinkers in their own vehicles? What about Customs collectors? Prosecutors?

Before this campaign can be implemented, law enforcers must get clear guidelines on who are authorized to use sirens and blinkers. An order must be signed by proper authorities. Without such an order, you can’t expect law enforcers to pull over a sport utility vehicle without government markings for using sirens and blinkers, only to be scolded by the son of a senator or police general. Without those guidelines, this campaign may never go beyond press releases.