Seize the daY!

one way my *ss!

i was looking forward to do a blog about having Xyrille back (Yes! i "lost" her for more than three weeks, well this will be a subject on another blog), but i just couldn't stop myself from writing about my encounter with the police last friday after coming from a carwash.

i usually have Xyrille washed at Remedios (Malate area). After getting her from Toyota Otis, i thought i'd give her a much needed shower. I finished around 5:30pm. Anticipating the traffic (Friday, rush hour?), i opted to take another route (there's always a traffic jam in Pedro Gil) I took F. Benitez street and made a right turn at Escoda. Upon reaching the intersection (there were actually 3 streets in that intersection,a nd pardon me, i don't remember the name of the street), I saw i police mobile going towards my direction on the street that i planned to make a left turn. I slowed down to look for any signage, to check if it was a one-way street. For a moment, the mobile and i stopped. I waited for signal from them, if it was a one-way street. after around 30 seconds, I opted to go because there was no signal from them that i can't go thru. so i drove til the end of the street (it was a good 30 meters street) and made a right turn at San Gregorio Street. When i made a right turn, i just saw on the rear mirrow the mobile, with its siren on, and blinking the lights on me. I thought for a second if it was me they were "chasing". Unsure if it was me, i slowed down and decided to pull over. The mobile stopped and a policeman went out of the mobile and went to my car. I rolled down my window and conversation went something like this:

JAKE: Yes sir? Is there any problem?
POLICEMAN: Ma'am, one way po ang pinasukan niyo.
JAKE: Ganun ba? Ang tagal ko pong nag antay ng signal niyo bago ako pumasok ng street, kung one-way siya or hindi. so nung hindi kayo nagsignal, i proceeded.
POLICEMAN: One way po talaga yun. (At this juncture he asked for my license)
JAKE: Sir, kung one way yun, bakit inantay niyo pa akong pumasok, matapos ko yung street, at makakanan na dito bago niyo ko hinabol?
POLICEMAN: May pupuntahan po kasi kami dapat, eh bumuwelta pa po kami.
JAKE: (medyo di na ako natutuwa nito) Tatanggapin ko sana na violation ko, pero naman, talaga pong inantay niyo pa akong pumasok dun sa one way street, nakakanan na ako't lahat, tsaka kayo nagdecide habulin ako. Sir, magkasalubong na tayo kanina. (not to mention the fact that the street didn't have any signage that it was indeed a one-way street!), pero wala naman po kayong ginawa.
POLICEMAN: eh ganun po tlga, matiticketan po kayo ma'am. or kung gusto niyo ma'am kausapin niyo na lang ang kasama ko (i think his companion held a higher rank than the one i am talking to)
JAKE (mas hindi na natutuwa): ganun ba? ok, sandali lang may tatawagan lang ako.

At this point, i was choosing which general to call. don't get me wrong, i don't enjoy using my "connections". I had the rare chance to work in the highest office of the land, that "little palace by the river", but i didn't use my connections to get out of mess, especially if it was my fault. I think i am responsible citizen of my country. I took the public servant title very seriously, but this one is but ridiculous!!!

I called up General Piano, classmate of my former boss in PMA. I explained to him what happened. I actually tried to call on someone who was considered the "big boss" of the Western Police District, unluckily he missed my call. I handed my mobile phone to the other policeman. He asked me who was on the other line, and i told him it was General Piano. I can only guess what transpired during their conversation.

The policeman handed over my phone back and said he won't issue a ticket but will put it in his log that he issued a written warning (on his logbook) on my violation. I told him if he can also include in the entry that he waited for me to enter and finish the street, make a right turn before he decided to chase me and reprimand me of my violation.

This is just cruel!!! i can only imagine those people who don't have "connections" who become victims of policemen like these! They either pay up or experience inconvenience in getting their license back.

I appeal to those men in uniform (the policeme, i mean). Our streets are inherently stressful - bad road networks, bad road construction, traffic, reckless drivers) Please don't add up to them! and do your job... properly!

sucked out life @ 9:25 AM