Marcos bans gov't officials from using 'wang-wang'
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has prohibited government officials and personnel from using "wang-wang" or sirens and blinkers.
Administrative Order No. 18 stated that the unauthorized and indiscriminate use of signaling or flashing devices has been "rampant" and "causing traffic disruptions."
Under Presidental Decree 96 issued in 1973 by Marcos' father, vehicles that may use sirens, bells, horns, whistles, dome lights, blinkers, and other loud and flashing devices are fire trucks, hospital ambulances, and motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and National Bureau of Investigation.
Government officials are only allowed to use signaling or flashing devices during emergencies or to ensure the safe passage of emergency responders. Unauthorized and improper use of wang-wang will be dealt with under applicable laws.
President Marcos has issued Administrative Order 18, prohibiting government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices "to promote the welfare and well-being of the general public." | @helenmflores pic.twitter.com/uGU2aMqPg5
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) April 10, 2024
Under Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, the use of sirens and blinkers will be meted with a P5,000 fine.
The prohibition of the use of wang-wang by government officials was issued to create safe and organized roads.
Marcos was first urged to tamp down on the use of wang-wang in July 2022 as more motorists, with some introducing themselves as government employees, getting apprehended over wang-wang abuse.
Former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino zeroed in on the use of the sirens during his administration, but they came back after he stepped down from office.
Protocol license plate crackdown
In addition to the wang-wang prohibition, Marcos has also issued Executive Order No. 56 regulating the issuance of protocol license plates to government officials.
From the previous list of 16 officials entitled to use the special plates, only 14 positions are allowed to carry the low-numbered license plates. This includes the following:
- President of the Republic of the Philippines - 1 or PANGULO
- Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines - 2
- Senate President- 3
- Speaker of the House of Representatives - 4
- Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - 5
- Cabinet Secretaries- 6
- Senators - 7
- Members of the House of Representatives - 8
- Associate Justices of the Supreme Court - 9
- Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and
- Sandiganbayan, and Solicitor General - 10
- Chairpersons of Constitutional Commissions and Ombudsman - 11
- Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Chief of the National Police - 14
Other officials with equivalent rank mentioned above and associate justices may also use the special plates upon recommendation of the Land Transportation Office and Department of Transportation.
President Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order 56, authorizing the assignment and issuance of low-numbered protocol license plates to vehicles used by government officials, cutting the number to 14 from the previous list of 16 officials entitled to use protocol license plates. |… pic.twitter.com/9pX7rL0Tcw
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) April 11, 2024
Previously issued protocol plates under EO 400 series 2006 to other positions not named in EO No. 56 will be deemed expired.
Additionally, officials get a maximum of two pairs of the special plates, with the Top 5 government posts getting up to three pairs.
This regulation comes as there have been increasing complaints about unauthorized use of protocol places over the years, according to the EO.