'For a level playing field': Rodriguez backs policies banning 'wang-wang', number 8 plates
At A Glance
- Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez says he is in full support of the reinforced anti-wang-wang (sirens) policy of President Marcos and the prohibition on the use of No. 8 protocol plates among congressmen by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Rep. Rodriguez's Facebook)
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez says he is in full support of the reinforced anti-wang-wang (sirens) policy of President Marcos and the prohibition on the use of No. 8 protocol plates among congressmen by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“Let us have a level playing field in suffering the terrible traffic situation. All officials must go early to their appointments taking into account the traffic,” Rodriguez said in a statement on Monday, April 15.
“No one should be above the traffic crisis,” he stressed.
Rodriguez pointed out that the use of sirens and police escorts are a symbol of entitlement to power and privileges, which the public “frowns upon and do not accept”.
“They regard public officials who flaunt their position, power and influence as arrogant who should not be emulated,” he explained.
President Marcos recently issued Executive Order (EO) No. 56, which prohibits government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud sounds.
Under the same directive, the guidelines on the issuance of protocol plates to public officials were tightened to promote a more transparent and accountable system.
“We are not leading or living modest lives if we demand that we should be entitled to certain privileges as public servants,” Rodriguez pointed out.
The Mindanao lawmaker suggested that only the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC) should be allowed to use the protocol plates.
Rodriguez said other government officials should only use regular plates. Since becoming a congressman in 2007, he said he has never used a No. 8 plate.
Following EO No. 56, Romualdez reminded lawmakers that the use of such plates is not authorized.
Accordingly, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was told to apprehend drivers found using the No. 8 plates, alongside confiscating the said plates.