MANILA, Philippines – It was considered the “wang-wang” mentality at work: a young professional from an exclusive school mauling a traffic enforcer from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The Palace on Wednesday, August 15, thus commended citizens who showed outrage over the mauling of MMDA officer Saturnino Fabros. A motorist berated and assaulted Fabros as shown in a TV5 video that went viral Tuesday, August 14.
“When people seek out and denounce the abusive, we see our citizens taking an active part in the President’s drive against the ‘wang-wang mentality.’ This is a convergence that directly links individuals, through social and traditional media, to broader efforts to achieve social change, by bringing to light any possible wrongdoing,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
President Benigno Aquino III assumed office in 2010 with a vow to stop the so-called “wang-wang” mentality, with which government officials and other private personalities demand special treatment. “Wang-wang” is the Filipino word for “siren,” which VIPs often use for their vehicles so ordinary citizens would make way for them. Aquino himself promised not to use “wang-wang” while in office.
“Public engagement is the bedrock of democracy. It is at its most potent and powerful when the constant scrutiny of the citizenry serves as a deterrent to the illicit and unlawful. Let us all continue to channel our efforts towards permanently changing our individual and collective behavior for the better,” Lacierda said.
The MMDA said it will file a case against the motorist. – Rappler.com
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