FULL TANK Law on lemons for cars; bye Mara

I READ a letter suggesting that the

management of traffic in the metropolis

be privatized. Meaning, the government

should give up its mandate in directing traffic in the city.

I think the idea is sound. It should be given a serious thought.

For decades, the city has been in chaos, traffic-wise. Maybe it's

time to change coaches. As in basketball, if the coach has not

been winning championships, he has to go.

The government has not been winning against monstrous traffic

jams in the metropolis. The private sector may have better ideas

to lick the problem. Why don't we give it a try?

* * *

We've been losing P4 billion annually because of traffic jams.

Vehicles not moving at all in a traffic gridlock, or vehicles barely

moving at all, mean money going up in smoke.

Wasted hours on the road because of traffic snarls are hours

translated into deficits, never profits.

People stranded on the streets because of traffic snarls means

huge losses for factories because of lack of manpower.

Yet, through the years, the government has not done anything

concrete to solve the traffic problem.

The problem is there. The solution is there. Yet, nothing is done.

Who says we are not a patient race?

We waited 14 years before we toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

Are we going to spend a lifetime waiting for government action

on the traffic problem?

* * *

I still remember what Imee Marcos said when asked what was

the precious thing that she truly enjoys most about her being

the daughter of Ferdinand Marcos.

"No traffic for me," said Imee.

That was in the '60s yet.

Marcos is long gone. Cory is gone. Ramos is gone. But traffic is

still with us.

Erap will soon be gone, too. But will traffic also remain after he

leaves Malaca$ang in 2004_that is, if he survives his six-year

tearm?

We can only make a guess.

* * *

Art Balmadrid and Sheila Tolentino of Isuzu Philippines Corp.

faxed me a note on Monday about the noontime launch of the

new Hi-Lander, the X-TRM, tomorrow at the Ilustrado.

Will Edu Manzano, now the Makati vice mayor, be around? You

know, it was Edu who modeled for the Hi-Lander when it was

launched a while back.

Speaking of Isuzus, I rode on Gov. Manny Pinol's 4x4 Isuzu

twice already when I was in Davao recently. It rode well, even at

high speeds. I noticed that the faster I drove, the more stable

was my ride.

Here's a revelation: I believe the Isuzu pickup outfuels every

vehicle in its class.

* * *

Bonjin Bolinao, ever the good lady that she is, will tender a

get-together dinner for Ms Mara Gabot, her dear friend for

years, tomorrow.

It's by invitation. RSVP (Respondez S'il Vous Plait: I hope my

spelling is right, Bonjin?).

Mara, a most friendly doll in the car industry, is leaving Volvo

and Bonjin will use the affair by way of bidding goodbye to

Mara while at the same time wishing Mara all the luck in her next

career venture.

I got an invitation. Kaya lang, baka maiyak ako pag nagpunta

ako?

Dyahe to admit pero I'm really a softie when it comes to

goodbyes.

* * *

That $4.9 billion awarded to six passengers of a Malibu who

suffered serious burns when the car's gas tank exploded after

getting bumped from behind some years ago is a world record.

General Motors has appealed, initially contending that the

accident happened not because Malibu was a defective car but

because the gas tank explosion was caused by the impact of

collision of a truck coming from behind.

Actually, the court decision did not surprise me.

In the United States, cases involving a giant company against

consumers would almost always result to a victory in favor of

the consumer. Which I like very much.

* * *

Over here, many car buyers complain a lot about having bought

lemons for cars. When they argue their case, they lose. When

they try to return their cars and ask for a replacement, they are

turned down.

I have received many complaints myself.

Again in the US, complaining is the least of worries of

consumers. You buy a pair of shoes there, use it for a week,

months even, return it afterward, no problem. For as long as you

have the receipt, you'll get your money back.

I think it's about time that Congress enacts a law to protect

customers who have bought lemons for cars. Better still, why

not a law that altogether allows a buyer to return, if not

exchange, the commodity when he feels like doing it?

This suggestion is kinda wild, if not weird, but then, by

adopting such a law, aren't we teaching our capitalists a lesson

or two on how to make their products at top-level quality at all

times?

Maybe a public debate on this should be held?

I have yet to see a car-buyer who felt he had bought a lemon

plead his case in court. Maybe, somebody should do it. A good

test case.

Who knows, one court decision favorable to the car-buyer

might yet spark a call for the adoption of such a law.

* * *

QUOTE ME. In the rains, always keep your distance. Brakes are

not always that dependable on slippery roads.