Virtues my mother taught me

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Task Force Special Operations Unit Head Colonel Bong Nebrija was recently suspended. The reason? A convoy that used the EDSA bus lane was apprehended Wednesday morning. According to the enforcer who called Nebrija, Senator Bong Revilla was supposedly in one of the vehicles. Nebrija instructed the enforcer to let the convoy pass as a courtesy to the senator. But the incident spread on social media.

So why was Nebrija suspended if he allowed the senator’s convoy to pass? Because Revilla denied he was on the convoy in question. He felt his name was besmirched when Nebrija did not investigate and confirm he was actually on board. "Based on hearsay, you will destroy the senator? What about our little countrymen?" That was Revilla's statement. Based on that statement, it seems he sees himself as a “big” person while the ordinary person is small. To be clear, not my words.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and Nebrija went to the Senate to apologize to the senator. But the investigation must continue. Who was in that convoy if Revilla was not there? Why not reveal that to the public? Remember what happened on Commonwealth Avenue? A traffic enforcer stopped traffic because Vice President Sara Duterte was said to be passing through. When the vice president denied it was her, the enforcer was punished but it was not revealed who actually passed. Who was that VIP?

Actually, many vehicles pass through the EDSA bus lane. Luxurious vehicles followed by back-up vehicles or bodyguards. These vehicles bear private plates and not the low-number plates reserved for Cabinet members, senators, and congressmen. Some government employees feel entitled to use the said lanes. Even private citizens who feel they are rich enough to be allowed to use the bus lanes. This is because the MMDA is selective in apprehending violators. Even motorcycles, especially in the Shaw underpass, are not apprehended when using the bus lanes while other vehicles abide.

The LTO or MMDA should once and for all issue guidelines as to the use of the EDSA bus lane. The only ones who should be given the privilege are the president, vice president, Senate president, the House Speaker and the chief justice of the Supreme Court as well as emergency vehicles such as police, ambulance, and firemen. No one else. If vehicles with license plates "6", "7" and "8" are allowed, well, what good are the bus lanes with that many allowed to pass?

Relatives of these officials may have the same plates. The entitlement of some is just sickening. There are even fake license plates. I also noticed many private vehicles plying the roads with police escorts. They forcibly make room for their “boss” to pass. Again, only the five high officials mentioned can be given police escorts. Only Noynoy Aquino's administration was able to implement its "no wang-wang and hawi boys." Truly, happy days are here again.