Image: Instagram/@solenn, @saabmagalona. / Facebook/Jim Paredes
The Metro Manila Council (MMC) recently approved a resolution to ban driver-only private vehicles on Edsa during rush hours. The resolution got the go-signal just last Aug. 14, but saw almost 3,000 drivers violating the new traffic scheme as of Aug. 16.
Many have since aired their own grievances regarding the ban, including celebrities who took to their social-media platforms to voice out their sentiments.
Solenn Heussaff took to her Twitter on Aug. 16 to share a picture of the congestion on Edsa while inside her car.
She wrote, “Solo rule on Edsa is even worse!! Bravo Philippines!!! #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines #LaroLaroLang.”
Solo rule on Edsa is even worse!! Bravo philippines!!! #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines #LaroLaroLang pic.twitter.com/VHvK3LfoxM
— Solenn Heussaff (@solennheussaff) August 16, 2018
A netizen, a certain Darwin (@darwinbrodeth), replied to Heussaff on Aug. 16, telling her, “Then better go back to your country.”
Heussaff, however, did not fold and asserted that she is a Filipino.
“I’m Filipino. If you don’t want to better our country [then] that’s a problem. Hindi lang pwedeng ‘hayaan’ ang mga ganitong bagay. Pinoys deserve BETTER.”
Im filipino. If you dont want to better our country than thats a problem. Hindi lang pwedeng " hayaan" ang mga ganitong bagay. Pinoys deserve BETTER.
— Solenn Heussaff (@solennheussaff) August 16, 2018
Actress and singer Saab Magalona, too, decried the ban, calling it “some elitist bullsh*t.”
“At least make a designated-single passenger lane?” wrote Magalona on her Twitter last Aug. 15. “OR ASA BA? EH YUNG BUSES NGA DI SUMUSUNOD SA RULES ANG LAKI LAKI NA NYAN HINDI NYO PA MAKITA YUNG MALING GINAGAWA NILA.”
Magalona continued her tirade, saying that those who won’t be affected by the ban are “politicians with several cars and drivers.”
“Are you a parent who drives your kids to school bec they might die if they take our sh*tty public transit?” Magalona further wrote. “SORRY, YOU CAN’T TAKE EDSA AFTER YOU DROP THEM OFF!!! HAHHA!!!”
You know who won’t be affected by this? Politicians with several cars and drivers✨ Are you a parent who drives your kids to school bec they might die if they take our shitty public transit? SORRY, YOU CAN’T TAKE EDSA AFTER YOU DROP THEM OFF!!! HAHHA!!!
— Saab (@saabmagalona) August 14, 2018
She also criticized the government, saying, “LET’S PROMOTE CAR POOLING BUT LET’S GIVE RIDE SHARING APPS A HARD TIME WITH THEIR PERMITS HAHAHAHA I LOVE MONEY!!! – govt.”
LET’S PROMOTE CAR POOLING BUT LET’S GIVE RIDE SHARING APPS A HARD TIME WITH THEIR PERMITS HAHAHAHA I LOVE MONEY!!! – govt
— Saab (@saabmagalona) August 14, 2018
Meanwhile, actor Marvin Agustin took to his Twitter last Aug. 15 to share a snap of his dogs in the backseat of his car.
“In compliance with @MMDA single passenger policy… pwede ba yan???” Agustin wrote.
In compliance with @MMDA single passenger policy… pwede ba yan???🙊 pic.twitter.com/jUYhbC53wS
— IG: @MarvinAgustin (@marvin_agustin) August 15, 2018
When told by the official MMDA Twitter account that it was not, Agustin acquiesced, seemingly annoyed.
“Okay po…” Augustin wrote back. “Mga ‘SINGLE’ isip na ulit tayo ng ibang paraan… kailangan na natin maging double!!!”
Okay po…🙄 mga “SINGLE” isip na ulit tayo ng ibang paraan… kailangan na natin maging double!!!🕺🏻💃🏻 https://t.co/F8XcqAHmrn
— IG: @MarvinAgustin (@marvin_agustin) August 15, 2018
Activist and APO Hiking Society member Jim Paredes, on the other hand, said in jest that he would be establishing an “EDSA Buddy” business.
“Am putting up an ‘EDSA Buddy’ business. If you need company to go through EDSA, 1) Regular person — 30 pesos one way,” wrote Paredes. “2)Interesting conversationalist—150 Pesos one way, 3) Showbiz person. 5K. Pag rush hour, 10K one way.”
https://twitter.com/Jimparedes/status/1029516942841769984
“Make sure to state your political leanings para walang away,” Paredes added.
He then tweeted at the official MMDA account, asking, “Pag funeral car driver ka at may patay sa likod, excused ka ba sa EDSA? @MMDA.”
https://twitter.com/Jimparedes/status/1029534226847166464
Amidst the backlash, however, Malacañang called on the public on Aug. 16 to be “patient” and await the results of the dry run of the ban on driver-only vehicles.
“Let’s give it a chance,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. “We’re exploring everything to find a solution to the traffic problem.”
Regardless, criticism against the ban on single drivers continue to mount.
Samar Rep. Edgar Sarmiento, vice chair of the House committee on transportation, for one, suggested that the MMDA should first consider synchronizing the bus flow on Edsa and called undisciplined bus drivers the “biggest culprits” in traffic.
Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, meanwhile, said the ban was “a temporary solution.”
“[It] may be declared unconstitutional as it unduly restricts property rights without due process.” /ra
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