Wang-Wang

I drive a car in Manila, and one of the irritants I often encounter are those cars with obnoxious "8" plates with sirens and blinkers to boot. You know what I mean-- those "8" plates that don't care to specify which district the "congressman" is representing. (For everyone's information, an "8" plate should always specify a congressional district; otherwise, it's illegal and presumably the product of bribery and/or the utilisation of connexions.) And then there are those cars (private or low-numbered) with wang-wangs (sirens, in case anyone asks) and convoys pushing their way through traffic. I know there are laws against these things/thugs, but they're never implemented (how can they be, when the perps are more powerful than the arresting officer).

Let's have none of those sirens and escorts for officials, including their similarly abusive offspring, mistresses and other appendages. I have a modest suggestion: SHAME those people who arrogantly carry their weight around. If they are our neighbours or friends, we should tell them that what they're doing is shameful and disgusting. Refuse to associate with them until they change their ways. Shun them and turn your backs in disgust when they pass in front of you. These people should be put in their place, if not legally then socially. If they want to be above eveyone else, then let them stay there alone. Then let's hope that the little "hiya" left in them brings them down.