Thursday, January 10, 2008 Malig: Symbols of authority By Jun A. Malig Cognition
DESPITE existing directives against the illegal use "symbols of authority," many motorists, including teenage-looking and a la yuppie individuals, continue to use blinkers and sirens.
The 1999 Malacañang order to the Philippine National Police to strictly enforce the ban on the use of sirens, blinkers and other devices and symbols of authority on vehicles unauthorized to use them is still being enforced.
The order, which was pursuant to Presidential Decree (PD) 96, was issued after the Palace received reports about the increasing number of reported instances of abuse and misuse of sirens by public officials and private individuals.
Existing laws stress that only the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are legally authorized to use sirens, blinkers, and escorts for official purposes.
Only emergency vehicles such as properly marked police cars, ambulances and fire trucks are exempted from the ban. No other national or local government officials and private citizens are authorized to use these devices either in their own vehicle, or in vehicles accompanying or escorting them, according to the executive department.
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To reiterate the government policy on this issue, on June 30, 2005, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Administrative Order (AO) 122 "Directing all government offices to strictly comply with PD 96 declaring unlawful the indiscriminate use of sirens, blinkers or similar devices."
Malacañang said in its order that sirens, blinkers or similar devices "obstructs the efficient flow of traffic along the country's major thoroughfares" and "the improper use of these devices poses as a safety and traffic hazard to both motorists and pedestrians."
Below is a major portion of AO 122: "WHEREAS, on January 13, 1973, PD 96 was issued declaring it unlawful for any owner or possessor of any motor vehicle to use or attach to his vehicle any siren, bell, horn, whistle or similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or starting sounds, including domelights, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices; WHEREAS, under PD 96, such gadgets or devices may be attached to and used only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Police Departments, Fire Departments and hospital ambulances; WHEREAS, in order to serve as an example and encourage the general public to comply with the provisions of PD 96, government officials and employees not falling within the exceptions provided for therein should take the lead in strictly observing the prohibitions on the use of sirens, blinkers or similar and devices as provided for in PD 96;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order all government offices and agencies to strictly adhere to the provisions of PD 96 dated January 13, 1973.
Done in the City of Manila, this 30th day of June, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Five."
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It is unfortunate that PD 96 and the Malacañang directives are just being ignored by some motorists, including government officials who are not allowed to use sirens and blinkers. Some individuals who are family members, relatives or friends of government officials, use these devices without a hint of apprehension. When they get caught in heavy traffic, they simply use their blinkers and sirens to compel other motorists to move out of the way.
But why would hard headed motorists persist in defying the law?
