Law vs 'wang-wangs' already existing; implementation absent — De Lima

In his inaugural address, President Benigno Aquino III took a dig at officials who indiscriminately use sirens — colloquially called "wang-wang" — to get past traffic jams. "Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin (Have you ever stuck it out in heavy traffic, only to see a big shot with flashing siren on the road cut in ahead of you? I have)," Mr. Aquino said. "Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa (No taking unfair advantage, no invoking godfathers, no plunder of funds. No flashing sirens, no counterflow, no cop asking for bribe. It’s time we return to being charitable)" the 15th Philippine president later added. At a press conference in Malacanañg held after the first Cabinet meeting, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said a law already exists barring the unauthorized use of sirens on the country's streets. She, however, lauded Mr. Aquino's "example of good leadership." "There is already a law limiting the use of sirens on the road... it's only a matter of implementation," said the former Commission on Human Rights chair, referring to Presidential Decree 96. The decree, issued in 1973 by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, regulates the use of sirens, bells, whistles, horns and other similar devices. "The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and use only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances," a portion of the law said. For government officials, only the following are entitled by law to use vehicles with these devices: President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Supreme Court Chief Justice.—JV, GMANews.TV