We’ve rounded up a lot of things from 2023—the biggest car launches and motorcycle launches—but we’ve yet to discuss what has been an integral part of our year as well: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) road-clearing operations.
For the past few years, we’ve been seeing all sorts of, well, stuff, from the MMDA’s daily ops. Last year, however, seemed to be a bit funnier-slash-more bizarre than ever. So without further ado, here are 10 of the stupidest things we saw from motorists in 2023.
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1) Car blocks driveway, gets sarcastic printed note taped onto its window in return
Jeez, this was an instant classic. When the MMDA see an illegally parked vehicle, the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG) personnel usually follow standard procedure. I’m guessing for this one, they had to double, triple, or quadruple take. We’re still not sure about the story behind it, but something tells us there’s more to this than just a simple note on a window.
2) Civic Type R owner tries to avoid coding using custom plates, gets apprehended anyway
The road-clearing ops also serve as a good chance for MMDA enforcers to apprehend motorists for traffic violations. Every once in a while, they encounter something like this guy: A Honda Civic Type R owner who was blatantly using illegal customized plates. As it turned out, despite his excuses, it was clear that he was just trying to avoid coding.
3) ‘Magpapahangin lang nang kaunti’ is NOT a valid excuse to ride without a helmet
For most of the helmetless riders that the MMDA enforcers encounter, the usual excuse is the age-old saying “diyan lang ako.” This one, however, is pretty unique. Not only did the guy admit to straight-up refusing to obey the law—chances are, he also thought giving out this type of excuse would save him from all the trouble. That’s the only reason I can think of as to why he would say such a thing.
4) Believe it or not, this car was actually parked in the middle of the road
We have absolutely no words for this one. Parking in the middle of a busy road, and in front of a school at that? Jeez.
5) This rider’s attempt to cheat the motorcycle dress code is just... baffling
We know there’s a proper dress code for motorcycle riders, and we’re also familiar with how people fail to follow that. But to try and cheat it in a manner like this one? That’s something else.
6) Illegally parked vehicle hits wall after owner tried to run from the MMDA
I’m looking for a word. “Karma’s a...” Bah. Anyway, this guy tried to run from enforcers, and it didn’t end well for him. He got a wrecked car and a few tickets in return. Wasn’t worth it in the end, we assume.
7) Driving school vehicle caught illegally parked... in front of its own office
Driving schools are supposed to teach us what’s right from wrong. This one apparently teaches people how to be defensive drivers. But how about teaching people how to park properly? “Not on the side of a busy road” might be a good start. There’s a chance that one’s not in their handbook, though.
8) Helmetless rider caught by MMDA leaves his wife and bike with enforcers
“Happy wife, happy life.” There’s still a good number of people who live by that saying. There are people like this rider, though, who apparently left his wife with his bike after they were flagged down by MMDA enforcers. Somebody probably slept on the couch or in the garage that night. That’s assuming he even slept at all, of course.
9) Seriously, why are people riding unregistered pocket bikes on public roads?
You probably saw the photo and thought: “Hey, that’s pretty cool.” Sure, that guy’s wearing the right gear, but his bike isn’t exactly road-legal. This wasn’t the first time we’ve seen something like this, and we have a feeling this won’t be the end of it. Once a year, perhaps?
10) ‘Bawal ba talaga?’ asks driver caught two days in a row in EDSA Busway
Okay, so this isn’t part of the MMDA’s road-clearing ops. But see, towards the end of the year, the agency also put more emphasis on proper enforcement on the EDSA busway. As expected, it did not disappoint. This guy—who was trying to play dumb—was one of the first of many head-scratchers we saw on the busway last year. Maybe that one deserves a different list, too?
