FOR some time, (9 years) I worked in Legislation for our city. I was once elected as the President of the Baguio City Councilors League. I was also elected Regional Chairman of the Cordillera Councilors League just edging out a beautiful attorney councilor from Sagada. I was once an acting Vice Mayor. I eventually became the Presiding Officer of the Baguio City Council and the Vice Mayor.
In legislation, I always knew that it was always an expression of a member of the Council or Congress. It was how our lives are to be lived from legislation, from legislators like me at one time. Laws are provided for, for every Juan to follow.
No matter how funny, ridiculous, stupid or crazy it can be, as long as it benefits Juan and all then it can be legislated and put into law. I read of a lot of legislation not only from here but from abroad that were far out of this world. Some of course have been into law many years ago. Practical or impractical it may be, it is the law.
In the USA, they restricted horses from entering the Session Hall, I will picture a time from a long time, but surely until today it is still the law. Once, a bee stung a legislator, he died. They then passed a law to kill all bees inside the halls of legislation. The once was a time when every Juan bore arms, later on the shot at each other in these halls.
Even in our very own Session Hall, Juan witnessed colleagues bearing arms, almost a gun fight too. I don't, so I passed for the law against it and until today. No exemptions. Even the Police surrender their firearms. But many of these laws from the past seem outdated and need refinement to the times. Until today horses are not allowed in all of City Hall. Flies and bees are swatted out or killed even without any law here.
I have come across some silly but practical laws from some places lately. Driving along the highway going thru La Union and then Ilocos Sur, I am dumbfounded upon seeing every Juan on their scooters or motorcycles along the highway running on two wheels but without any helmets. Yes, no helmets. Apparently it is against the law to have one on. Police have learned that from this unique rule, criminality has been controlled.
How so? Well it just deters many from committing wrongdoing, especially killing. Makes sense.
Recently in Mindanao I was surprised to be running my vehicle at the speed of 40 kilometers per hour. Probably my running pace, it felt like it. I was tempted to run a little faster, except my hosts mentioned that it was the law and that I abide by it. Bikes and motorcycles all running at the same speed and snail paced. The law is the law in this parts. If Juan gets into an accident but within speed, Juan is let off. Juan who is ran over gets a scolding from the local traffic police all around the area. Over speeding is a different story. They may shoot offenders!
While there should be such a law here in Baguio and especially in Session Road, I find funny one particular rule for Juan to stop for 5 seconds at pedestrian crossings. It does make sense to stop for pedestrians but a mandatory one and for a few seconds or 5 to be exact, I find impractical. Well I never saw Juan follow and Juan caught. Laudable however for PedXing.
I know that Juan should always keep right, while crossing, along escalators and on street roads for motorists. Along sidewalks and painted at that I will find, useless and also insulting. I would not mind following the rule but what if not? Who will tell me or catch me and how will it stop any Juan from breaking it.
In the Mountains a curfew is strictly enforced. Elderly women enter bars and send off all the young men off to their homes. At times even accompanying them before a scolding. The practice still around this days and without any written law.
Chewing gum is a no-no in the fine city of Singapore. It just affects escalators and instills discipline. Ok. Surely by breaking it will come some backlash, in fact lashing in your backside. For smokers some gum would have helped but not in this fine city.
Oh by the way I was slapped by a case for cutting a cement pine tree. They say it was against the law. Really? I made a law that would not allow unaccompanied adults to enter the Children's Playground. Well at least it encourages adults to be with their kids and avoids predators from entering.
Surely there will be more, some lost laws, but I'm just lost for laws.