No Kidding Part 5: Follow the Traffic Rules

Philippine roads are dangerous. Change my mind. You can't! Even the Department of Transportation agrees. The current chief wants a review of the rules. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2055168/dizon-orders-sweeping-review-of-road-safety-policies

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will form a special task force to review road safety policies and procedures and implement reforms aimed at reducing road accidents.

DOTr chief Vince Dizon announced the formation of the task force in a press conference on Wednesday.

“Effective today, I am announcing the creation of a special task force to do a sweeping review of all our road safety policies and procedures,” he said.

Dizon added that the special task force will be composed of officials from the DOTr, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

“We should take road safety seriously because big vehicles like buses and trucks are deadly. If they hit you, you can’t do anything,” Dizon said in Filipino.

“And clearly, the policies and process now are not effective,” he added.

When will these people learn? It is not the rules that are the problem. It's bad drivers and NON-ENFORCEMENT of the rules that are the problem. And when they are enforced it is done in the stupidest way. For instance checkpoints are easily evaded by motorcycles and tricycles by simply pulling over to the side of the road and waiting them out. The DOTr needs to look at the PNP. 

I have written about overloaded trucks many times on this blog. Now another overloaded truck has collapsed a bridge. Senate President Escudero says this is a problem and there needs to be a review of anti-overloading policies. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/16/escudero-calls-for-comprehensive-review-of-anti-overloading-policies

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero is now pushing for a comprehensive review of all laws and policies against overloading by trucks and trailers across the country.

Escudero made the call for a review in light of the recent sudden collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela province that was reportedly triggered by overloading. 

The Senate chief said a parallel review of policies regarding overloading is in order to determine if these are enforced properly and if these are still effective, or if there may be lapses in enforcement. 

“We must find out how the truck that reportedly weighed 102 tons was able to get on the bridge that has a 45-ton maximum capacity,” Escudero said in a statement on Sunday, March 16.

“I am certain that this is not an isolated incident, and a lot of overloaded trucks are able to go about their business without being flagged,” the senator said. 

Escudero cited Section 6 of Republic Act 8794, or the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) Act of 2000, which specifies the penalty for overloading, which is equivalent to 25 percent of the MVUC imposed on trucks and trailers. 

The same section also states that “no axle load shall exceed 13,500 kilograms,” he pointed out.

The lawmaker recalled that in November 2001, the DPWH, then Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a joint circular laying out the mechanics of implementation and enforcement of the provisions on overloading and the maximum allowable gross vehicle weights.

The provisions depend on the configuration of trucks or trailers.

A revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 8794 was also issued on April 5, 2013, which stated, among others, that the DPWH shall install and operate weighbridge stations or portable weighing machines at strategic locations along national roads for purposes of the implementation of the provisions of the law against overloading. 

Under RA 8794, the DPWH is also authorized to outsource to private contractors the operation of the weighbridge stations and portable weighing machines. Under the law, these machines should be in operation 24 hours a day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

"How many weighbridges do we have? What is the weight capacity or load of roads and bridges that we construct? Is this being followed? Is this being implemented? Is there a weighbridge before one can cross that bridge?” Escudero pointed out.

“If a truck was able to pass a weighbridge, maybe after passing it, they loaded more, and thus, there were changes in the weight of the truck,” the Senate President raised. 

He further said that based on the data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), close to 400,000 trucks and 55,802 trailers were registered from January to September of 2023. The LTO recorded a total of 16,020 apprehensions based on axle overloading in that same period. 

According to Escudero, there are easy and practical ways to prevent the overloading of trucks, such as prohibiting the installation of reinforcements on the bed of trucks or trailers.

A visual inspection of the trucks would also already reveal if these have been reinforced and “if there are reinforcements then it means the trucks are most likely overloaded every time they transport cargoes,” he said. 

Escudero also noted that the DPWH has a significant amount of funding for the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of national roads and bridges under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“Once we start deliberations on the proposed 2026 spending plan of the DPWH and the DOTr  (Department of Transportation) later this year, we will require an accounting of the expenses incurred as a result of infrastructure damaged due to overloading and the effectiveness of the policies and programs to prevent overloading,” he said.

“We have to put a stop to these recurring expenses that could easily be avoided,” he added. 

No kidding it's not an isolated incident. There does not need to be a review of anti-overloading polices. There needs to be enforcement of existing anti-overloading policies. It's as simple as that. Enforce the laws on the books. But heaven forbid anyone do their job like enforcing speed limits. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2052784/strict-enforcement-of-speed-limits-sought

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has called on authorities to strictly enforce the 60-kilometer per hour (km/h) speed limit in major thoroughfares to ensure public safety.

He made the call following the vehicular accident that killed two passengers and injured 16 others when a passenger jeepney went wayward and hit other vehicles on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Sunday morning.

The 60-km/h rule on the busy road was introduced by Tolentino himself in 2011 as chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The speed limit has since been applied to other major thoroughfares.

“Commonwealth has been called the ‘killer highway’ due to the high number of accidents and fatalities there. To address this, we imposed the 60 km/h speed limit,” Tolentino said.

Initial police reports and CCTV footage indicated that the passenger jeepney involved in the smashup was running at high speed when the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle.

“Rules exist to ensure traffic order and public safety. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of drivers and motorists to observe discipline and road courtesy,” the senator said.

Imagine living in a country where the President of the Senate has to implore the police to enforce existing traffic rules. What a shameful mess. 

But it's not as if the PNP is always following traffic rules themselves. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/04/02/2432793/government-must-be-consistent-enforcing-laws

The government must be consistent in enforcing laws, particularly in traffic management and road clearing operations, a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) official said.

According to Gabriel Go, the MMDA’s Special Operations Group Strike Force head who recently figured in a viral post over a heated exchange with a police officer, his unit was trying to implement change by performing regular clearing operations and maintaining orderly traffic flow along highways and alternate routes in Metro Manila.

“We got used to times that when there is no traffic enforcer around, despite having traffic signages, we will park (in illegal parking areas). And when we get caught, we always say sorry and plead for us not to be cited for violation,” he said in an interview with The STAR’s online show “Truth on the Line” on Monday.

If motorists cannot follow simple rules such as avoiding illegal parking along major thoroughfares, chances are they could be “blatantly disrespecting” other laws – something that Go said wanted to change. 

He highlighted the importance of information dissemination on policies on road traffic and road clearing among citizens, as well as consistency in implementing them.

He also pointed out that with consistency comes the need for “collaboration and coordination with law enforcers and the local government units, especially the barangay.”

Go emphasized that in traffic rules and in road clearing operations, “no one is above the law, and the law applies to all.”

He reminded personnel under his unit to only remove obstructions, such as tables and umbrellas during clearing operations, and not confiscate vendors’ merchandise.

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Don Artes said a show-cause order has been issued to Go in connection with an altercation with a Quezon City police officer.

In his letter to Sen. JV Ejercito, Artes said the MMDA is taking the matter seriously and assured the senator that Go will be held accountable if found to be at fault.

“Mr. Gabriel Go is a good man and a dedicated MMDA enforcer. If he committed a mistake, we will accord him due process and penalize him as justified,” Artes said in a separate statement.

The controversy stemmed from a clearing operation wherein Go allegedly humiliated Capt. Erik Felipe of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) over a parking ticket dispute.

A video of the incident, reportedly taken outside Anonas police station 9 without Felipe’s consent, circulated online, subjecting him to criticism for parking his motorcycle on the sidewalk.

According to National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan, Felipe intends to sue Go and vlogger Dada Koo for violation of Republic Act 10173, or the Data Privacy Act.

Asked when the case might be filed, Calinisan said in a Viber message, “Toward the end of the week.”

Calinisan said he spoke with Go over the weekend and advised him to apologize to Felipe, but to no avail.

The MMDA was conducting clearing operations. A PNP officer illegally parked his motorcycle on the sidewalk. An MMDA officer, Go, and the PNP officer, Felipe, got into a heated argument over the parking ticket which was issued. This altercation was filmed and post to social media. Instead of the PNP officer taking his lumps and admitting he was wrong he now intends to sue both the MMDA officer and the man who filmed the incident. 

What a load of malarkey. This entitled PNP officer thinks he is above the law and does not have to follow basic traffic rules such as don't park on the sidewalk. But the fact is the law applies to all, including PNP officers who should be model to the rest of society. Seeing as the PNP is one of the most corrupt organizations in the nation it's no wonder Philippine society is the way it is.

An internet personality has written a whole article about how Filipinos need to use their turn signals when driving. 

https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2025/03/17/293383/turn-signals-driving-macoy-dubs/

Content creator and car enthusiast Macoy Dubs stressed the importance of using turn signals and the potential consequences of neglecting them.

The internet personality on Tuesday, March 11, shared the effects of failing to use signal lights, advising such motorists to attend "driving school."

“If you don't signal, you'll be a sweet potato, if you become a sweet potato, you'll crash, if you crash, you'll get killed, if you get killed, you'll go to jail, if you go to jail, you'll rot,” he wrote on Facebook .

“S*ET. Go to Driving School,” Macoy added with a sparkle emoji.

His post has earned 3,700 likes and reactions, 226 shares, and over 80 comments so far, with many Filipinos sharing their own experiences on the road.

“This is also [our] Pet Peeve!!!! Those who don't signal are annoying. Let's just guess where they're going,” a Facebook user wrote.

“Everyone should be required to go to driving school. You mentioned those who signaled but that's not where they went,” another online user commented.

“When you signal, the person behind you will speed up so you don't get hit,” different Pinoy  wrote.

Macoy has been consistently raising awareness about using turn signals.

Earlier this year, he reminded fellow drivers to use their signal lights when turning or switching lanes

“To my sissies who are main characters and feeling artists who are returning to Manila and neighboring provinces, please use your turn signal because I don't want to guess this 2025. Charet!” Macoy wrote last January.

His post has garnered 1,600 reactions.

In May 2024, the influencer posted dashcam footage of him being cut by another vehicle whose driver failed to use a turn signal when he switched lanes.

“I just want to sing, drive [in] peace and go home. You don't need to cut. Unless you're short-changing yourself when it comes to getting your license. Eme!” Macoy  wrote on Facebook before.

Using turn signals before turning or switching lanes is a common defensive driving habit.

Turn signals are a vital means of communication, alerting other drivers to your intended direction and helping to prevent potential collisions or accidents.

Signal lights should be turned on at least 30 meters before making a turn, whether to the right or left.

When changing lanes, they should be activated at least five seconds prior to making the move.

In most vehicles, turn signals are located on the left lever behind the steering wheel.

Moving it downward activates the left turn signal, while moving it upward activates the right turn signal.

It's common sense and common courtesy. Two things which are sorely lacking in the Philippines. 

Vehicular Homicide Is NOT A Crime in the Philippines

I have written about this subject many times on this blog. While the Philippines does have laws on the books, they ultimaltey do not matter. They are not always enforced. If you commit vehicular homicide because you did not see the people you hit, well as long as you settle with the family you can get away scot free.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/658257/mandaue-hit-and-run-victims-family-suspect-settle-amicably

The families of both the suspect and the victims in a recent hit-and-run incident in Mandaue City have reached an amicable settlement, the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) said. 

MCPO Spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Mercy Villaro, confirmed that both parties met at the Traffic Enforcement Unit office on Friday afternoon, Sept. 19, accompanied by a legal counsel, and agreed to settle the matter privately. 

“Naa ang both parties ug abogado sa ilang aggreement. Nagkasettle ra sila,” said Villaro. 

The incident occurred at around 3:55 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, along M.C. Briones Street in Mandaue City. The Mandaue hit-and-run victims were identified as Leonie Longos, 37, and his wife, Rosal Longos, 39, residents of Barangay Tipolo. 

Leonie was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician, while Rosal sustained serious injuries and was referred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. 

According to the Mandaue City Public Affairs Office, Rosal is a city-paid Clean and Green personnel assigned to clean streets early in the morning. Leonie was merely accompanying his wife at the time of the accident. 

The suspect, a 21-year-old college student from Consolacion, surrendered to authorities around 12:30 p.m. on the same day. His mother first went to the police station alone at around 6:00 a.m. and later returned with her son. 

Villaro said the suspect, who was driving a pick-up, claimed he did not see the couple due to poor lighting in the area. Out of fear, he fled the scene after the accident. 

Because a settlement was reached, police will no longer pursue charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injury against the suspect in the Mandaue hit-and-run. 

“The decision to file charges depends on the family. Since they have opted not to pursue a case, we will not proceed with filing,” Villaro said. However, she added that in cases where there are no next of kin, the police would be the ones to file charges. 

Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare and Services (CSWS) is conducting a three-to-four-day assessment to determine what assistance can be provided to the victim’s family.

Isn't that lovely? “The decision to file charges depends on the family." Nice legal system. Now, that miscarriage of justice could be chalked up to the parties being private persons. This next one cannot. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/01/passenger-bus-rams-bizman-dead-injures-senior-high-student

A 50-year-old businessman died and an 18-year-old senior high school student was injured after a Ceres Liner bus struck them in Barangay Galicia, Ilog, Negros Occidental on Sunday night, Nov. 30.

Police Major Randy Babor, Ilog police chief, said the bus was traveling from Kabankalan City proper, Negros Occidental to Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, when it sideswiped the student, who was riding his bike home.

The bus also allegedly hit the businessman as he crossed the road from a nearby rice mill.

Victims sustained head injuries and were taken to a hospital, where the businessman was pronounced dead. The student is currently recovering.

Babor noted that the driver may not have seen the biker and had too little time to avoid the businessman due to their proximity.

He said that all parties have reached an initial settlement, resulting in the release of the 56-year-old bus driver, identified as Ram from police custody.

A bus driver killed a pedestrian and injured a cyclist. Yet, no charges will be field because all parties reached a settlement. That means no investigation into the matter. Perhaps the driver was on drugs as some are wont to be. Perhaps there are other factors including gross negligence due to the bus not being properly maintained. We will never know because “The decision to file charges depends on the family."

But let's see what the law says about vehicular homicide.

https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1957/ra_1790_1957.html

"Art. 365. Imprudence and negligence.— Any person who, by reckless imprudence, shall commit any act which, had it been intentional, would constitute a grave felony, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional in its medium period; if it would have constituted a less grave felony, the penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum and medium periods shall be imposed; if it would have constituted a light felony, the penalty of arresto menor in its maximum periodical shall be imposed.

"Any person who, by simple imprudence or negligence, shall commit an act which would otherwise constitute a grave felony, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its medium and maximum periods; if it would have constituted a less serious felony, the penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed.

"When the execution of the act covered by this article shall have only resulted in damage to the property of another, the offender shall be punished by a fine ranging from an amount equal to the value of said damages to three times such value, but which shall in no case be less than twenty-five pesos.

"A fine not exceeding two-hundred pesos and censure shall be imposed upon any person who, by simple imprudence or negligence, shall cause some wrong which, if done maliciously, would have constituted a light felony.

"In the imposition of these penalties, the courts shall exercise their sound discretion, without regard to the rules prescribed in article sixty-four.

"The provisions contained in this article shall not be applicable:

"1. When the penalty provided for the offense is equal to or lower than those provided in the first two paragraphs of this article, in which case the courts shall impose the penalty next lower in degree than that which should be imposed in the period which they may deem proper to apply.

"2. When, by imprudence or negligence and with violations of the Automobile Law, the death of a person shall be caused, in which case the defendant shall be punished by prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods.

"Reckless imprudence consists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results by reason of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.

"Simple imprudence consists in the lack of precaution displayed in those cases in which the damage impending to be caused is not immediate nor the danger clearly manifest.

"The penalty next higher in degree to those provided for in this article shall be imposed upon the offender who fails to lend on the spot to the injured parties such help as may be in his hands to give."

There is nothing in this law which renders it moot if the perpetrator and the victim come to an agreement. No law has such a clause rendering it moot if an agreement is reached with the perpetrator. The problem is that acts committed under this article are quasi-offenses. 

1. Quasi-Offense
   Under Philippine law, criminal negligence (or imprudence) is not treated as a separate crime for each specific result (homicide, serious physical injuries, damage to property, etc.). Instead, it is a “quasi-offense” under Article 365, which means it is characterized by the absence of intent to commit so grave a wrong but by the presence of negligence, carelessness, or lack of foresight on the part of the accused.

https://www.respicio.ph/commentaries/article-365-reckless-imprudence-resulting-in-homicide-in-the-philippines

Within Philippine jurisprudence that means the case can be settled. However, amicably settling civil liabilities does not extinguish criminal liabilities. 

6. Civil Liability and Settlement

Aside from the criminal aspect, reckless imprudence resulting in homicide also gives rise to civil liability. The victim’s heirs can claim damages, including:

• Actual or Compensatory Damages: Funeral expenses, medical bills (if the victim survived for some time before death), and other quantifiable expenses. 
• Moral Damages: Compensation for emotional suffering of the victim’s family. 
• Exemplary Damages: If the act was particularly wanton or reckless.

In many cases, an out-of-court settlement or amicable settlement is explored to address the civil aspect. Though it does not automatically extinguish criminal liability, it may influence the prosecution’s position or serve as a basis for a more lenient penalty (since it demonstrates good faith and willingness to rectify the harm caused).

https://www.respicio.ph/commentaries/defense-strategies-for-reckless-imprudence-resulting-in-homicide-charges

To not enforce the law is a grave injustice not just to the victim but to society at large. Now there is a a bad driver back on the roads in Mandaue. It is past time for the Philippine government to enforce the laws.

Baugio City Finally Decides to Enforce the Speed Limit

Traffic in the Philippines is a nightmare. Terrible drivers are only half the problem. The other half is the lack of enforcement of the traffic rules. Here's another instance where the authorities have refused to do their job. Until now. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251283

All drivers traversing the city's roads must comply with speed limits of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour (kph) in a bid to address the growing number of vehicular accidents.

A recent meeting among officials of the city government, Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), Land Transportation Office, Public Order and Safety Division, and other concerned agencies resulted in the agreement to strictly enforce the measure passed by the city council in 2019 but has not been implemented.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in an interview Monday that the maximum speed of 20 kph will cover the central business district and other major roads, while a maximum 30 kph applies to all inner roads.

The city government will procure speed monitoring devices and sensors to ensure compliance.

“This is to underscore the city’s commitment to public safety and the prevention of traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Motorists are strongly urged to comply with these speed limits at all times. Let us work together to keep Baguio’s roads safe for everyone," he said.

Based on police records, there were 377 vehicular traffic accidents from Jan. 1 to May 29. Eight died.

In 2024, there were 313 incidents during the same period.

Magalong said the city government will also purchase breath analyzers to catch intoxicated drivers, particularly at night.

BCPO Director Col. Ruel Tagel said in a separate interview that they are also implementing the Oplan Discipline, Respect, Infrastructure, Vigilance and Education (DRIVE) which is a multi-stakeholder approach to address the sudden surge in vehicular accidents.

Oplan DRIVE involves a combination of driver behavior, road infrastructure and law enforcement as measures to improve road safety.

“This is anchored on the three E’s of road safety, engineering, education and enforcement, that seeks to strengthen synergy among agencies as they carry out their respective traffic safety mandates," Tagel said.

In 2019 Baguio City passed a measure limiting the speed of vehicles to 20 kph in the central business district and 30 kph everywhere else. For six years no one thought to implement this law. What's the point of having a government if they refuse to govern? 

That they are doing something now is nothing to be cheering about. The measure should have been enforced when it was passed. The city says they need to "procure speed monitoring devices and sensors to ensure compliance." What was stopping them from doing this in 2019? The city also says this "underscores the city’s commitment to public safety and the prevention of traffic-related injuries and fatalities" which is completely laughabale. If they were so concerned about public safety they would have been enforcing this law.

What other laws not only in Baguio but throughout the country are on the books but are not being enforced? Sadly this refusal to enforce the laws is nothing shocking in the Philippines. That's just how it is. 

This Father Is No Hero

Recently a father and his son were rammed by a truck in a horrible accident while they were on the way to fetch the man's live-in partner. While the two were flying through the air the father, in an act of quick thinking, tossed his son to the side of the road underneath a parked truck. This likely saved the boy's life. However, this father is no hero. Let's look at the story. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/628968/dads-last-act-saving-his-kid-after-truck-rams-motorcycle-from-behind

A 27-year-old father saved his three-year-old son from severe injury or death, but, unfortunately, he lost his life in doing so.

This was after their motorcycle was rammed from behind by a speeding dump truck, causing the victims to be thrown off the motorcycle and into the hard pavement. 

This happened at past 10 p.m. on March 20 in Sitio Tapuco, Barangay Pit-os, Cebu City.

It could have been a father’s instinct to protect his child, who then was riding in front of him in the motorcycle at the time of impact. This was because he instinctively grabbed the kid as they were thrown off the motorcycle.

Perhaps, sensing that it would be more dangerous for his son to land with him on the pavement in the middle of the road, according to the police report, the father as they were “sailing in the air,” then instinctively threw his child under a parked truck on the right lane of the road.

Witnesses said that the father was thrown a few meters more, landed on the hard pavement and then got hit at the side of the head by the front wheels of the dump truck, causing his death.

According to his relatives, the victim and his son did not wear any helmet because the place where they were going was just a few kilometers away from their home.

The man's three-year-old son was riding in front while wearing NO helmet because the father it was not needed since they were only traveling a short distance. What an idiot. You always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. It's a matter of safety and law. Also, three-year-olds are not allowed on motorcycles. Here is the law:

Section 4. Prohibition. – It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a two (2)-wheeled motorcycle with a child on board on public roads where there is heavy volume of vehicles, there is a high density of fast moving vehicles or where a speed limit of more than 60/kph is imposed, unless:

(a) The child passenger can comfortably reach his/her feet on the standard foot peg of the motorcycle;

(b) The child’s arms can reach around and grasp the waist of the motorcycle rider; and

(c) The child is wearing a standard protective helmet referred to under Republic Act No. 10054, otherwise known the "Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009."

https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2015/ra_10666_2015.html

This law should not be needed as it is a matter of safety to prohibit your three-year-old son from riding on your motorcycle especially without a helmet. Now this father is dead and his son is hurt. That is what you get for neglecting basic safety.

The police in a report said the speeding dump truck was then counter-flowing because the truck driver wanted to overtake another truck in front of the victim’s motorcycle and another vehicle.

The truck in front stopped because they were trying to pass the road without snagging a low-lying electric wire.

Police in a report said that after ramming the motorcycle of the father and the son, the dump truck continued on and collided with 3 more motorcycles on the opposite lane of the road.

Fortunately, the drivers and the passengers of the three motorcycles managed to jump off and escape being severely injured as the dump truck plowed through the motorcycles.

The erring truck driver, then got off his truck, after the collision and fled the area fearing for his life.

He later surrendered to a police station.

The dump truck who hit them was speeding and counter-flowing as he tired to overtake a truck in front of the motorcycle. The truck then stopped because of a low-lying electric wire which caused the dump truck to ram the motorcycle and three more motorcycles before he came to a stop and fled the scene.

Everything is there. Speeding, low-lying electric wires, and fleeing the scene. It's a nightmare scenario of bad driving that takes place every minute of the day on Philippine roads. And the PNP cannot be bothered to patrol the roads as they are required to do. Here is the law:

Sec. 35 (B) (8) Traffic Management Unit. – Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Traffic Management Unit shall enforce traffic laws and regulations.

https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1990/ra_6975_1990.html

It's too bad the cops refuse to do their job of patrolling the roads. 

“Nagkuha ra gyod to siya sa iyang pares nga naghuwat sa may Pit-os nga gikan sa trabaho,” the victim’s mother told CDN Digital in an interview.

(He (the victim) was just fetching his live-in partner, who was waiting in a neighboring Barangay Pit-os, who had just got off work in the city.)

“Gida niya iyang bata para mosugat sa iyang mama, pero wa na sila nakaabot didto kay nadisgrasya naman sila,” she said.

(He brought his child with him to fetch the son’s mother, but they did not reach there because they met the accident.)

The victim and his live-in partner lived in Barangay Binaliw 1, which is the neighboring barangay of Pit-os. 

When asked if the couple’s three-year-old child was alright, the victim’s mother said that the child was hospitalized and would be released from the hospital that day.

“Nabukol ra man to sa iyang ulo. Gida sa hospital sa inahan, unya mao rag pagawason na to sila karon,” said the mother of the victim.

(The child had a big lump on the head. He was brought to the hospital by his mother, and he would be released today.)

The driver was detained at the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Cebu City Police Office, pending the filing of a case of Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Homicide, Physical Injury and Damage to Property.

Of course the story is not over. The charges could be dropped if the family decides to settle. Hopefully they do not. 

This is just one more story of how dangerous the roads are in the Philippines. The father is being painted as a hero who saved his son in the split second before he died but the reality is he ignored basic safety and put his son's life in danger. This father is no hero.

Dangerous Trucks On Philippine Roads

On this blog I have written about trucks with faulty brakes and overloaded trucks both of which are a cause of major accidents. Now, the LTO says they have busted 22 trucks and public utility drivers for driving with worn out tires. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/11/more-trucks-apprehended-for-using-worn-out-tires

Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcers apprehended 22 truck and public utility vehicle (PUVs) drivers after random inspections conducted in Metro Manila roads revealed that they were using worn-out tires.

LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said show cause orders will be issued against the registered owners of the trucks and PUVs for them to explain why they should not be penalized for violating road safety regulations.

He said the two-day operation started on Jan. 7 and also resulted in the apprehension of 12 motorists for using unregistered motor vehicles and 51 others for various offenses that include reckless driving, not wearing a helmet, and driving without license.

“The focus of the operations are trucks and passenger utility vehicles because of the incidents of road accidents involving these types of vehicles,” said Mendoza.

“We will sustain these operations in order to ensure the compliance of all motorists. It is important that our personnel are visible on the ground because they compel erring motorists to behave," he added.

At least four truck-related road accidents happened last month, including the fatal Katipunan flyover multiple vehicle collision that resulted in the death of at least four people. At least 25 others were injured.

Since then, Mendoza ordered the deployment of LTO enforcers along truck routes in Metro Manila. 

More than 21 SCOs were also issued to truck owners last month after their trucks were found to be overloaded and using worn-out tires.

Mendoza explained that trucks with worn-out tires and overloaded trucks are prone to road accidents, and a combination of both out road users at risk. 

Mendoza said their operations also include other road safety rules and regulations to compel motorists to behave. 

“For several times, we have been urging motorists to be disciplined and to do what is right. We express gratitude to the majority of our motorists who are law-abiding citizens,” said Mendoza.

“And for the few who are hard-headed, our enforcers will be there to implement road safety rules and regulations,” he added. 

This is of course nothing new. Trucks in the Philippines tend to be very old and in bad condition. Just think how many drivers were not caught. These apprehensions were only in Manila. One has to extrapolate this number and multiply it greatly to get a sense of how many truck drivers are plying the roads in unsafe conditions. 

Malfunctioning Brakes Are A Big Problem in the Philippines

Terrible vehicle accidents happen all the time in the Philippines. Overloaded trucks plow into houses while overloaded jeepnies plunge off cliffs. Too often faulty brakes are the cause of accidents. Here are two such recent cases. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/608424/truck-runs-over-vendor-rams-seaport-building-in-san-remigio-cebu

A balot vendor died after she was run over and dragged by a wing van truck, which then crashed into a seaport building, in Hagnaya Port, Brgy. Hagnaya, San Remigio town, northern part of Cebu.

The victim was identified as Jennie Ariula Mandado, 44 years old, and a resident of Purok Agbati, Brgy. Hagnaya, San Remigio, Cebu.

According to Police Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Lequin, investigator of San Remigio Police Station, the wing van truck was driven by Arsenio Mansueto Lawan,  38 years old and a resident of Sitio Combado, Brgy. Ticad, Bantayan town in northern Cebu.

The wing van was loaded with sacks of rice and was about to travel from the port to the Bantayan Island.

However, while the wing van was waiting for its turn to drive and board a RORO vessel, the vehicle lost its brakes and the driver lost control of the vehicle.

(The driver said that the brakes could not stop the loaded truck. He said he told some of his helpers to put something against the tires to stop the truck from moving, but it did not work.)

Five other vehicles were hit by the truck —an Isuzu elf, an SUV, another truck, and two motorcycles — before it crashed into the seaport building where the victim was selling her balot together with her husband.

However, the husband was able to avoid the wing van.

(She was sitting in front of (the seaport building), she did not have a chance to ran, only her husband managed to run to safety.)

The driver was brought to the San Remigio Police Station, while the victim was brought to a funeral home after being declared dead by the regional health unit (RHU) municipal doctor.

The suspect will face a charge of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple damage to property.

San Remigio is a third class municipality in the Province of Cebu and it is located 108 kilometers north of Cebu City.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/27/wayward-delivery-van-kills-injures-pedestrians-in-qc

An elderly woman died on the spot while two others were injured after being hit by a closed van on Victoria Avenue corner 13th St., Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City, on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

According to the police, the accident occurred around 7:00 p.m. The victims were walking on the sidewalk when the van hit them from behind.

The the elderly's head was reportedly run over by the van while the two other victims sustained injuries. 

The 43-year-old driver was turned over to the Quezon City Police District.

"Pasensya na po eh talagang disgrasya, hindi kagustuhan po natin yon. Talagang wala tayong magagawa po (I'm sorry, it's really an accident, we don't want it to happen. There's really nothing we can do)," the driver said.

According to the driver’s companion, they were supposed to make a delivery when the brakes of the van malfunctioned which led to the accident.

Meanwhile, the other victims were brought to the hospital for immediate medical attention. 

Both of these accidents occurred on the same day and for the same reason, faulty brakes. These are not isolated incidents. Brake malfunction leading to tragedy happens on a regular basis. The solution is proper vehicle maintenance. Is that too much to ask? How many vehicles on the road should not be on the road?

Private Donation of 4 Million Plastic Cards Shows The Land Transportation Office Is An Inutile Agency

The Land Transportation Office of the Philippines has long been known to be a wholly ineffective and inutile agency. From backlogs in issuing license plates to backlogs in issuing drivers licenses drivers have had their fill of failed promises from the LTO.  When will driver's licenses be issued? Soon, says the LTO. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/09/15/2296347/lto-may-resume-drivers-license-issuance-soon

With at least one million plastic cards set to be delivered to the Land Transportation Office by the end of September, the LTO said yesterday it may resume the issuance of driver’s licenses soon.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said the 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) issued in August by a Quezon City court, which stopped the awarding of the contract for the production of driver’s license cards had lapsed.

Mendoza said the agency is slowly building up supply of the driver’s license cards to address the estimated 2.4-million backlog.

“Tuloy-tuloy na ang delivery. We hope to complete one million license cards by the end of the month. Siguro kapag nakaisang milyon na, we will start working on the backlog,” he said in a radio interview.

According to Mendoza, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court is still hearing the petition filed by a losing bidder, which questioned the P240-million deal for the supply of five million plastic cards.

One million cards at the end of September would still have left a massive backlog. With the LTO's procurement deal being scrutinized by the court millions of more cards would remain undelivered meaning no solution to the backlog. 

Until now. 

Enter the Philippine Society of Medicine for Drivers. They have recently donated 4 million plastic cards to the LTO to finally clear out the backlog. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1876825/donor-to-give-lto-4-million-plastic-cards-for-drivers-license-in-january

300,000 blank plastic cards on which driver’s licenses will be printed are set to be delivered by a donor organization to Land Transportation Office (LTO) on the first week of January 2024.

The agency said after this turnover, subsequent deliveries of 300,000 more pieces will be done every 15 days.

These movements will go on until a total of four million cards are brought to LTO.

The plastic cards are worth a total of P160 million.

LTO said the items are an “unconditional donation” for drivers from Philippine Society of Medicine for Drivers (PSMED).

PSMED is an association of medical clinics accredited by the agency.

“This donation is timely as it came at a time when we in the LTO are facing a serious challenge of addressing the backlog and daily usage of plastic-printed driver’s license amid the uncertainty on the outcome of the legal battle on the plastic cards that the LTO procured early this year,” LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II said.

There are many questions here such as: from where did they procure these cards at a much lower price than the LTO? 

It is a question of price and due process that is holding up the procurement of cards in the courts. The lowest bidder says he was wrongly denied the deal which was given to a higher bidder. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1818138/qc-court-issues-tro-to-stop-lto-in-delivery-processing-drivers-license-cards

A temporary restraining order (TRO) has set back the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) delivery and processing of plastic license cards meant to address the current backlog of 1.7 million cards.

In an order dated August 15, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court branch 215 issued a TRO against the LTO, effectively suspending its delivery of plastic license cards for 20 days.

The court’s order reflected a petition filed by AllCard Inc., a losing bidder for the supply of plastic cards, after it accused the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Centralized Bids and Awards Committee of committing grave abuse of discretion.

AllCard argued that it was disqualified even when it presented the lowest bid of P176,853,600, which was significantly lower than the P240.12 million budget approved for the plastic licenses.

The card supplier also pointed out that the LTO wrongfully accused it of having had delays in its ongoing projects with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Social Security System and the Land Bank of the Philippines without even giving the company a chance to verify it.

Furthermore, the firm also alleged that the LTO immediately awarded the deal to Banner Plasticard Inc., without even waiting for the reglementary period to file a protest to finish.

This, AllCard said, caused it “irreparable injury in terms of massive financial injury due to opportunity loss and injury to [its] reputation.”

The court then granted AllCard its petition, affirming how it was deprived of its right to due process.

“This case unfortunately reeks with unfairness or injustice to the petitioner who was clearly deprived of its right to due process, and deserving judicial intervention,” the order read.

Let's do the math here. AllCard's deal works out to 35 pesos per card while the winner, Banner Palsticard Inc., comes to 48 pesos per card. Amazingly the Philippine Society of Medicine for Drivers was able to procure 4 million cards at 40 pesos per card. 

How was the Philippine Society of Medicine for Drivers able to get a significantly cheaper deal than the LTO?  None of the articles discussing this story say. Why is Banner Palsticard Inc. printing cards for 13 pesos more than AllCard and 8 pesos more than the corporation from whom  the Philippine Society of Medicine for Drivers procured cards? Again no article offers an explanation or even mentions that price disparity.  

What we can take away from this ridiculous debacle is that the LTO is a corrupt and inept bureaucracy. They awarded the winning bid for plastic cards not to the lowest bidder as required by law, nor did they wait to hear the appeal from the losing bidder before finalizing the deal, and now a private organization has had to step in to correct everything. Maybe it's time to abolish the entire government and hand it over to the private sector.