Senators have expressed support for President Marcos' recent move to prohibit government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling and flashing devices, which are colloquially known as "wang-wang".

Administrative Order (AO) No. 18, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on March 25, aimed to promote the welfare and well-being of the general public.

In his AO, released on April 11, the President said the unauthorized and indiscriminate use of sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices had become rampant, and had caused traffic disruptions and unsafe road and traffic environments.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said he "definitely agrees" with the move and lauded the President for issuing AO No. 18.

"As public officials, it is our responsibility to set an example to our constituents especially when it comes to dealing with traffic. Huwag na po tayong dumagdag sa kalbaryo ng ating mga kababayang araw-araw na tinitiis ang trapik sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa (Let's not add to the suffering of our citizens who are battling the traffic in different areas in the country)," he said.

Villanueva added that it is also about time to limit the sale of sirens, blinkers, dome lights, and other similar emergency devices to vehicles for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), police departments, fire departments, and hospital ambulances only.

Senator Grace Poe, the Senate Public Services Committee chairperson, said she strongly supports the President's directive.

"Officials should be the first to set the right example. It’s also good for government officials to experience traffic congestion first hand, so that we can hopefully be more motivated to find an effective and sustainable solution to the traffic congestion problem, experienced daily by our commuters," she said.

Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito called the directive a "very welcome" announcement from the President.

"I support this 100%! It seems that use of sirens, blinkers, HPG escorts in a convoy has become a trend for government officials these days. The feeling of entitlement," he said.

Ejercito noted that the late former president Benigno S. Aquino III had issued the same directive during his tenure.

Asked if he personally uses sirens or blinkers, he answered: "Not at all. Never. Specially police motorcycle escorts, never want to have one. Nakakahiya (It's embarassing)."

Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos said that the use of sirens and other signaling devices should not be banned outright but be heavily regulated instead.

"There are valid uses for these types of equipment. The government should be strict in curtailing abuses in the use of these devices and those that abuse these devices should be apprehended and be held liable under our laws," she added.