Service the service road first

Riding high on popularity and new-found power some people in government might have the impression that they can’t do anything wrong.

This however is very unwise because one does not waste good will by virtue of diminishing returns. The Bible cautions us that pride comes before the fall, even to those enjoying an 86% popularity rating.

In the case of President Benigno Aquino, his problems may not be self-inflicted but one caused by multiple mistakes of those around him.

Like a patient experiencing multiple fractures or mini-strokes, the Aquino administration should start reining things in because people are beginning to notice the mini mistakes that are being repeatedly and annoyingly committed.

Just to review things in the last month, we first had the run-ins of cabinet members with the Malacanang Press. That was followed by a controversial appointment of a Customs Commissioner who either does not know his math or his ethics.

That of course led to the justification and defense made by President “Noy” for Commissioner Alvarez, which became a downhill slide when P-Noy expressed his legal views about Senator Trillanes, which became suspect and led to speculations about a scenario of using Trillanes’ case as the foot on the door that will leave an opening for Senator Ping Lacson if he lands in court, in jail or the Senate.

Soon even more controversy brewed over the “mag-kapamilya” appointments of Secretary Abad and family into various government positions. And this week we hear a Presidential spokesman tell us that “we can use the service road” if we can’t afford the new tolls at the South Luzon Expressway.

Frankly, I wondered if that spokesperson ever got the high-caliber media training they’ve been bragging about. In the first place the question was simply if Malacanang would intervene in the impending SLEX toll hike. Yes or no?

But there must be some disease in Malacanang where so-called spokespersons end up becoming explainers, defenders or analyst. Telling daily SLEX commuters that they can use the service road is equivalent to what Marie Antoinette did when she told the hungry French peasants to “EAT CAKE”. 

But since the spokesperson made a point to tell us what to do with our sentiments, perhaps commuters should research into what the “SERVICE ROAD” was designed to be. I don’t know if I have the memory of an elephant or if I’m pigheaded but when they were building the SLEX back then, the idea of the service road was more like an on-ramp/off-ramp roadway for people who needed to get on or off the SLEX.

As I recall, you used it for a short distance to turn into or out from the SLEX and not as a regular end-to-end road from Villamor to Alabang. The idea was to give public transports that could not afford the toll an alternative, thus the term “service road”. 

If spokespersons in Malacanang feel the need to engage reporters, the least they could do is to speak in favor of public interest or SHUT UP.

If Malacañang suggests that cash strapped commuters take the service road in lieu of the soon unaffordable SLEX, then the Aquino administration especially their spokespersons should first make sure that the service roads are up to the traffic volume they want to reroute by mere “word of (their) mouth”.

If you want us to use the service roads can you at least make sure that your associates at the DPWH, DILG and related agencies have actually SERVICED the service roads. Make sure that the necessary police and traffic enforcement manpower are there to kick out the barkers and toughies who act like landlords of the service roads as they block traffic so dilapidated jeepneys can load or unload passengers illegally and dangerously.

I have no ill will or opposition to the SLEX tolls because I recognize the reality of investments and the need for revenues. I simply find it continually annoying when government officials go out of bounds or act with ignorance as to whom they work for, or speak with insensitivity towards the people who lined the funeral route of Cory Aquino and voted for Noynoy Aquino.

Is it because they are now in power, that they can wave us off with the indifference of the mighty or the contempt of the powerful?

The statement of the spokesperson may have been “true” as it was “innocent”, but that in itself does not take away the sting of indifference, insensitivity or suspected contempt.

The communications group might be tempted to quote “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” or perhaps, “You can’t please everybody”. However, the true professionals in them can easily determine that in many of their mis-encounters with the media and the public, it has often been a case of “too much information” or unnecessary comment.

I once wrote here that one of the tests that President “Noy” must pass, is how he will stand by his cabinet members. I said that in the context of doing their jobs and showing leadership and political will.

However, it is dangerous for President “Noy” to deplete his political goodwill or popularity points in defending his appointees or associates on ethical matters. That is “their” responsibility not the President’s. Each time “P-Noy” defends an official or an associate whose morals, conduct or credentials are in doubt, it costs him in equal terms.

This early in his presidency, President “Noy” should pull the brakes and evaluate the last month. Before the ship of state sails out to sea, he should find the loose lips that sink ships as well as officers who can’t live or abide by the code.