EPISODE

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The Dark Side of Commonwealth Avenue — The Killer Highway

Philippe explores the dark side of Commonwealth Avenue, uncovering the hidden dangers and accidents that make it one of the country’s most notorious roads.

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The Host: PHILIPPE SORIANO

A digital strategist, communications advisor, and A podcast host with over two decades of experience shaped by innovation, leadership, and advocacy.

Today, many people know Philippe as a podcaster and commentator. Through his platform, he gives voice to the most important conversations shaping the Philippines. Exploring social issues, economic developments, and the collective path towards a first world Philippines. Philippe's goal is always to bring clarity, depth, and balance to topics that affect both public policy and everyday Filipino lives.

From a self-taught web developer to an advisor to leaders, and now a voice amplifying the nation’s most critical dialogues, Philippe's career has been a continuous process of reinvention, grounded in integrity and a steadfast commitment to the future of the Philippines.
Philippe Soriano
Mclaine De Guzman.

Mclaine De Guzman

Mclaine De Guzman is a radio communications enthusiast and preparedness advocate who has been featured as a guest on the Philippe Soriano Podcast, where he shares practical knowledge on emergency communication, disaster readiness, and strategic planning.

On the show, Mclaine draws from his experience as a licensed radio operator with a Class D license, explaining how radio communications remain an essential tool for community safety, especially when conventional networks fail during emergencies.

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Transcript

Philippe: We’re gonna be talking about Pambansang Super Killer Highway (0:04) Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City

Background: Nakagigimbal ang nasaksihan ng mga motoristang ito ng araruhin ng UV Express ng ilang motorsiklo sa Commonwealth Avenue sa Quezon City kahapon Kasamang nabanggan at nasa’l book na UV Express ang nasa limapang motorsiklo

Philippe: Nung four lanes pa lang yan at wala pa yung MRT at wala pa yung NCAP at wala pa yung motorcycle lane To this day, I believe mas madaming aksidente nangyayari in Commonwealth

Imagine with all the improvements, with all the road widening Definitely, there are more accidents nangyayari per year in Commonwealth Avenue Ito yung una, tingnan natin

This transcript is machine-generated, and we apologize for any errors.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, network, or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised.

Philippe: And today’s topic, we’re gonna be talking about Pambansang Super Killer Highway known, as known as Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City So, where is Commonwealth Avenue? I think this stretch starts Mahaba ito eh

So this stretch starts from Quezon Memorial Circle all the way to Fairview or Farview So right now, as currently, meron siyang still bottleneck lanes but I think the widest is about 8 to 10 lanes I believe so

Philippe: So, the usual, nagbabottleneck at some parts, some areas But back then, ba’t tinawag natin itong ano? Why do we call this the Killer Highway? Kailan ba nag-start to? Kasi alam ko, this was many years

Mclaine: Pwede ko siguro sabihin, I guess 10 years ago pa yan Kasi, kailan lang din ba lumapad yung kalsada na yan So, even before, nung 4 lanes pa lang yan mas kilala siya sa kasi ang daming aksidente eh parang mga nagtatest ng car lalo na sa mga new drivers.

Philippe: So yan yung mga panahon ng mga drag racers?

Mclaine: Possibly, possibly Kaya yun, siguro na kahit ako eh, parang gusto kong i-try yun. kasi that was the parang closest na malapad yung kalsada and at that time hindi pa ganun kahit pinang mga enforcers or LTO

Philippe: Tsaka uso dati yung first few parts ng Fast and the Furious kaya ang daming nagsuset up na yung sasakyan

Mclaine: Doon sila nagtetest, parang ginagaya nila yung sa Fast and the Furious na

Philippe: Tapos tambahin nila sa Petron Fairview

Mclaine: Any gas station

Philippe: Any gas station, pero alam ko it starts there sa Petron. May ibang breed din na gang doon—mga driver ng bus, mga killer bus, ’yung mga walang aircon.

Alam ko meron pa rin, pero konti na lang, and I know they’re phasing that out. It’s a good thing kasi because of those killer buses. I rode it once, once or twice; trinay ko.

Philippe: And then tumayo ako, parang nagsu-surf, and even if you’re sitting down, mas ano nga nakatayo parang mas feeling ko mas safe pa, kasi nakahawak ka tapos you’re moving with the sway of the bus. Pero grabe, parang roller coaster literal na roller coaster.

Mclaine: Parang nakaka-cage kasi nga six-seater. ’Yung two-seater, ginagawa nilang three-seater. So technically, imagine mo you’re traveling from 60 to 80.

Philippe: Lalo pag madaling araw nago 100 ating sumasabay sila sa mga nag do drag race

Mclaine: Wala silang pinipiling oras. Tawag dito, isang klase lang talaga yung patakbo nila. May traffic o wala, doon ka nga matakot eh — may traffic pero nakakapagpatakbo sila nang ganun ka bilis. So from the killer highway going to the killer bus. Meron din niyan sa Bulacan counterpart ng Bulacan, killer bus. Mga taga-Bulacan.

Philippe: Bulacan chapter Killer bus

Mclaine: Trinidad liner, So definitely they would know

Philippe: Dito naman sa Quezon City, that time they called it “the bus in the furious.” Kasabay nila yung mga drag racers during that time. Ewan ko kung meron pa ngayon; feeling ko wala na kasi alam ko meron pa rin diyan pero iilan na lang.

Even back then in Commonwealth, nung four lanes pa lang yan at wala pang MRT, wala pang NCAP, at wala pang motorcycle lane. To this day, I believe mas madaming aksidente ang nangyayari in Commonwealth.

Philippe: Even with all the improvements and road widening, I definitely believe there are still more accidents happening per year in Commonwealth Avenue. Take note that by shooting this session, we’re only at the end of October — so we still have two months, November and December.

Sa Ber months , masyado ring madami ang aksidente, pero up to this date andami na. I think what I’ve listed down here is about seven or eight. Anyway, we’re gonna go through them, and of course, we’re gonna credit the ones who uploaded this, whether it’s a news channel or a personal upload by any of our netizens.

Philippe: Tignan natin yung pinakaunang footage na nakita ko. This is the first accident — I’m not sure if it’s the first accident ever, but it’s the first one I found from April 8 in Commonwealth Avenue. So ito yung una. Tignan natin. So dito sa footage, we can see isang SUV.

I believe it’s a Toyota Fortuner. Nakabanga siya sa isang van, and then may kausap siyang enforcer. And then look at what happens — pumaatras siya, pumasok pa sa Metro Oil gas station. This is in Commonwealth Avenue, North Fairview, sa Metro Oil.

Philippe: And that is in reverse — as in naka-reverse siya the whole time, paikot-ikot pa. It looks like human error. Ang tawag ko dito: “the possessed SUV.” Paano siya na-possess, e?

Mclaine: Actually, yung The way na nag drift Lalo kung hindi ka Nakasave well, it would throw you away On your seat.

Philippe: And it probably Did. Kasi hindi niya mabawi

Mclaine:Hindi niya mabawi yung Manibela. And then, kahit Imagine mo nalang kung Yung presence of mind, walang bagay yan e Imagine if you just put that in Neutral, then you hit the brake Possibly, baka Pero, I don’t know I’m not an expert, pero

Those are just the things na pwede kong Pwede kong maisip at that time Kung sakaling mangyari sa akin yun But again, that is an accident Hindi natin masasabi.

Philippe: I wouldn’t say na sinadya; maybe it was really an accident nung nabangga niya yung van. Siguro nataranta lang yung driver, and then wala na — out of control na. Buti na lang walang nasaktan, nobody got hurt, nobody got killed.

And I think buti na lang hindi natamaan yung gas line ng gasoline station, kasi kung natamaan ’yon, pwedeng sumabog. Pero buti natamaan niya ata yung parang water tank — water tank, yeah. So this one is not as bad. Let’s start with the next one.

Philippe: Tingnan natin yung next one. Four days after, April 12. This year lang ha this year. Ito medyo sad. I found four videos, four versions of these videos online.

Let’s look at the first one Ito naman jeep Let’s watch this Dito sa first video So Nakalagay pa breaking news 2 dead At least 7 injured Uploaded by Vantage Point Media April, actually April 13 So less than 4 days pa. And we could see in this Video na It’s It’s not a clear video.

Philippe: Let’s look at the Next one that I found. Ito mas malinaw ata This is from 24 oras, okay Yan, yung jeep tumaob. Let’s look Ipo forward natin Ito CCTV footage Gosh Mabilis Mabilis yung takbo nya Yan, tumaob yung jeep Tumilapon yung dalawa 16 Imagine, 16 Injured 2 dead Siyempre

Mclaine: Pero hindi siya totally bumangga. To the looks of it sa video, umiwas… pero hindi eh. I was checking — parang pumutok yung gulong, kasi biglang tumagilid.

Ito yung minibus, ito yung jeep. Biglang tumagilid yung gulong, tsaka siya bumangga. Most probably, possibly mechanical fault, or baka pumutok talaga yung gulong. Dahil sa mabilis, tapos biglang gano’n lang yung pagtilt. Pero I’m not really sure. Hindi ko napanood ito sana… I’m not really watching the news na sa TV.

Philippe: Let’s look at this — this is a much clearer version. This was uploaded by ABS-CBN News. Doon sa CCTV footage, mas clear ito kasi hindi siya kasama doon sa news clip. Alright, let’s have a look again. Ayan, ‘yun o… yeah. From the looks of it, mabilis pa rin talaga yung jeep.

Mclaine: Sabi nung driver kanina Binusinaan pa niya yung jeep

Philippe: Dito, driver error number one. Second, alam naman natin yung jeep, kalbo na yung gulong at hindi well-maintained. When it comes to safety, bagsak yan.

Mclaine: Sobra

Philippe: Bagsak yan. It’s not a safe vehicle. Combine all of that — human error sa driver kasi mabilis niya. Sabihin natin kung mabagal siya, makokontrol pa niya. But it looks like he was exceeding the speed limit.

Ano nga ba yung speed limit sa Commonwealth? Dapat 60 for private cars, 60 for motorcycles, at 40 maximum para sa mga public utility vehicles. Pero ito kasi… imagine, two dead, imagine nakasakika lang. Diba?

Philippe: Nangyari ito, parang sa pelikula. Let’s look at the last version that I saw — oh, GMA News, right? Look at that. Dito medyo early pa, pito yung injured pero total is 16. So sad. Imagine papasok ka lang o pa-uwi ka lang tapos yan pa yung nangyari sa’yo. So sad.

Anyway, let’s jump to the next one. So far, this is both in April. The next one I found — I’m not sure kung meron in between — pero this was June 7. Let’s look at this. It looks like a sedan bumangga sa isang jeep. Uploaded by Apple Malibong, thank you for uploading this; at least meron tayong source.

Philippe: Alakas ng impact, I would say. Mabilis ito, and hindi niya napansin yung jeep kasi nasa ano siya e. Bumangga sa gilid, wasak yung… wasak yung VUs. Toyota VUs yan, right? Ouch.

Mclaine: Pumasok ng ganyan ka… ano yung… sa bumper, yung hood. Pumasok siya ng almost kalahati, more than half sa engine bay. So that would be around 40–50. Now, ang jeep…

Philippe: When it comes to safety Ano siya Bagsak siya Pero look at the jeep Pag may bumangga sa jeep, wasak Tingin mo yung likod ng jeep

Mclaine: That is pure stainless. So collision-wise, pag ganyan yung ano, medyo safe yung jeep kapag naka-into. So possibly din, baka mamaya may nagsasakay dito.

Philippe: Most probably

Mclaine: Tendency ng mga jeep kasi Basta kung nakakita ng kamay na pumara Kahit nasa gitna sila

Philippe: Titigil sila

Mclaine: Sa mga jeepney driver hindi ko sinasama lahat. So dapat wag po masyadong… hindi kaming maubusan ng pasahero. Ang daming pasahero diyan. Pwede nyo namang itabay, kasi kung sasakay yan, hahabulin ka kahit saan ka huminto if they need to.

Philippe: Hindi ko sinasabi lahat ng jeepney drivers, pero karamihan sa kanila, they don’t follow the rules. There’s no such thing as consideration to them. And this doesn’t just go for jeepney drivers — even bus drivers, they don’t respect the lanes.

Imagine, hihinto pa sila sa motorcycle lane para magbaba. They don’t respect it at all. Tapos lalabas sila kahit may specific lane sila.

Mclaine: Even mga SUV, Taxis

Philippe: Wala naman dito na namatay, baka may injured pero nothing serious. Good luck sa insurance. So this is just one angle. This is June 17, July 13. Here we go — CCTV footage. I-zoom in lang natin konti. See that yellow bus?

That yellow bus Tignan mo, let’s wait a bit Medyo mahaba ito Pero yan yung nawala ng pre Or hindi niya na handbrake Or I don’t know kung ano yung story But let me forward this Look at that red jeep Check that out Notice something?

Philippe: Oh Vendors Napunta pa sa vendors Biker Ano pa yan diba? What bus is this? Yung… si Mr. Pogi. Ito yung na-upload actual video, this is CCTV footage. Si Mr. Pogi ang nag-upload. So far, we don’t know how many. Let’s see I have another angle for this. Ito… bus accident. Let’s see.

Mclaine: So good thing bumangga sa post Kung hindi Dire direcho pa siya

Philippe: Not sure how many, pero alam ko dito may namatay, from what I’ve read. Thank you kay Viral sa Pinas Facebook page. From what I’ve read previously when I was doing research, two students ang namatay dito.

Imagine pa uwi pa lang sila o papasok pa lang sila. And this is supposed to be the type of bus na safe, air-conditioned bus, at mukhang maayos. What happened? Ano ito? Mechanical failure? I’m not sure Kawawa yung ano

Mclaine: Yung isang vendor na… umilalim dun sa… I’m not sure kung vendor siya o ano, kasi mukhang motorcycle yung sinasakyan. Umilalim siya dun sa bus.

Philippe: Medyo nakakalungkot lang. Alright, nakaila na tayo — one, two, three, four… four accidents. Parang tatlo sa four o dalawa sa four is deadly.

Let’s look at this — motorcycle bus. Yun, nabangga siya. Uploader si Sayap. Thank you, Sayap; credits all to you. Salamat po. Alright, medyo mahabang video, forward ko lang. That same yellow bus. Ito naman rider error.

Mclaine: The bus is also metrolink. Pero hindi fault nung bus kasi naka hinto

Philippe: Rider fault o rider error kasi ang bilis niya. Sisingit pa, dami sumisingit, tsaka madilim. Medyo mahabang video.

Yun… big bike? Scooter? Hindi masyadong kita e. Mukhang big bike — looks like big bike kasi parang mabigat e. Sumisingit kasi, hindi kinaya. Parang siya big bike, right?

Mclaine: Nagalangan siya kasi may kasabay siyang bus. Siguro gusto niya agad kumaliwa, pero may basa dito sa left niya. Nagalangan siya kung ipapasok, and then, late na.

Siguro nakatingin siya sa side mirror niya, and then pagtingin niya sa harapan niya ayun na yung bus o, bumangga na siya.

Philippe: Rider error. Singit singit

Mclaine: If you’re really in the metro, you really need to have four sets of eyes—or more.

Philippe: Pero also, that area kasi madilim yung area na yun. And then, rider error — wala na tayong magawa diyan. Kasi kung sanay siya sumisingit, that’s what happens talaga. Yun lang.

Okay, that was September 17. Next, ito, August 28. Let’s look at this — another killer bus. This is the other killer bus. Ayan, green naman. Uploaded by Roads.ph — all credits to Roads.ph. Yan… gosh… oh, wasak.

Mclaine: I think this is intentional

Philippe: It looks like it, at bumangga siya sa ano, yung parang may tent. I’m not sure kung LTO yun or something. Bumangga siya dun — so crazy. Let’s look at a different angle. I got another angle here.

Mclaine: Pero sabi dun sa comment, the driver did all that he can to save all the people on the sidewalk. Pero… ano yan? Nawalan ba’t ng preno?

Philippe: Pag nawalan siya ng preno, as a driver, my first instinct would be ibabangga ko sa gilid — sa left side.

Mclaine: Scrape mo na yung bus — that’s the safest way. Kasi on the right side, there would be vendors, vehicles, and motorcycles.

Philippe: My first instinct

Mclaine: Since marami namang sasakyan sa left lane, mabibilis siya. Technically, pag nakita nilang i-scape mo na yung bus, doon sa left.

Philippe: Personal opinion — we’re not investigating personal opinion, wala tayo diyan. Let’s look at a different angle. Ito ata yung DZMM, found this

Ngayon, after napunta siya sa right side, naisip niya mag-left na. Kung nag-counter siya, ngayon bumangga siya sa barrier sa left side. After the circle, it’s too late na. Pero ang dami na dami dito — kotse, yung kotse kanina… fast and the furious, sideways.

Mclaine: Maybe… siguro nga, hindi siya intention. Bulakan — this is bulakan buses.

Philippe: Pero ang dami na dami dito Ito, ito yung sinasabi kong tent. Parang ano siya… I’m not sure kung LTO to, basta may tent ng government diyan. May UB Express.

Ang dami niya pala na bangga. Outpost — outpost siya. Ano siya? PNP outpost? Enough of this

Mclaine: Pero if binangga niya doon sa gilid, safest way. Sagad na rin.

Philippe: I don’t know

Mclaine: Damage will be damage, pero mas importante yung buhay ng tao kaysa gamit. Dapat talaga sa mga driver, presence of mind.

Habang wala ka sa kalsada, pag ikaw lang mag-isa, magdadrive ka lang ng childride, isipin mo rin — what if ganito mangyayari? Ano ang gagawin? May critical thinking din dapat.

Philippe: Kulang sa training ng mga public utility vehicle drivers — kulang na kulang. And hindi na-enforce. And you never know… DUI. You never know.

Mclaine: And dapat din siguro manggaling na rin sa mismo LTO during seminar. Kailangan din nilang ituro yung worst-case scenario, hindi yung lagi lang “follow the rules” — everybody follow the rules. Pero what if beyond the rules, or beyond unexpected na situation like that? Ano yung gagawin mo?

Dapat meron din mga critical scenarios na magtuturo kung ano ang gagawin mo, para makuha nila yung thinking ng tao. Kahit sabihin mo bago ka palang magdadrive, tanungin mo na ang worst scenario.

Mclaine: Kasi kailangan mong malaman ano ang gagawin ng isang new driver sa ganung klase ng insidente. Kasi everyone darating tayo sa ganyan. Kasi pag dumating aksidente sa’yo, we will never know.

Philippe: They have to be… the thing is, dapat meron din mental screening. Yes, baka mainit ulo, or mahina mag-react pag nataranta na, nakabanon lang. Anger management training, road rage management. Gosh.

Next… I don’t know kung ilan na ang namatay. I don’t wanna know. Looking from the video, dami na dami. October 17 — oh, this month pa, so fresh.Motorcycle accidents in the motorcycle lane, Commonwealth.

Philippe: Uploaded by Bobby Akire — thank you for your upload. All credits to you for this video. Looks like a rider error from the video, so we’re not sure. There’s not enough context to this, but wow naman si rider.

Mclaine: One thing I noticed — pag may na-accidenting motor, every motorcycle rider wants to help. The problem is, are they equipped with knowledge? Kasi minsan iba, nakitang nabagsak, biglang binubuhat, which is mali.

Tinuturo yun na kailangan mo munang i-assess. Minsan huwag mo agad isipin yung tao. Isipin mo, katulad yan, nasa gitna ng kalsada. Kung hininto ka, tutulong ka kung marunong kang mag-assess. I-assess mo yung pangyayari kasi mamaya, batamaan kayo ng kalsada. Tapos, mag-manage ka ng traffic.

Mclaine: Kung hindi mo muna ini-assess yung tao, baka mamaya isa ka pa rin sa magiging cause ng accident. Kasi na-accidentin na ngayon, tapos tutulungan mo siya without warning device. Kaya harang mo yung motor mo, turn mo yung signal light.

Philippe: Pero risky yan for the rider

Mclaine: Pero dapat, kung hininto ka doon, alam na ng mindset na yan na pag tumulong ka, risk na automatic.

Philippe: It’s a risk for yung na-accidente sa’yo and everyone else

Mclaine: Kaya minsan, parang ako paisip — tutulong ka ba? Pag tumulong ka, mapapasama ka kasi una, if you’re not equipped, hindi ka trained, hindi ka naman EMS.

Pag naman hindi mo tinulungan, mababagabag ka ng konsensya mo na, “Sana pala tinulungan ko,” tapos nalaman mo na gano’n lang pa.

Philippe: Tapos pag tinulungan mo naman, nakita mo na fracture siya kasi binohat mo siya. Tapos naano yung leeg tapos namatay.

Mclaine: Ikaw ngayon na may kaso — now, nasa kulungan ka, nagyimas ka ngayon just because you want to help. So everyone wants to help.

Kaya dapat talaga, everyone needs to be equipped with basic EMS. Hindi lang ito for emergency; ito dapat isama sa curriculum ng pagtuturo sa school.

Philippe: First aid pa lang di ba?

Mclaine: Ang alam ko, naalala ko sa school, may tinuturo e — alam nila yung CPR. Yun lang yung baka basic.Pero dapat ituturo din nila, aside doon sa CPR, alam nila ng mga bata yung CPR,

pero alam mo ba kung kailan dapat i-apply at sino ang dapat i-applyan? Yung pag-assess. Actually, dapat ang unang ituturo yung pag-assess ng pasyente.

Philippe: Pero ang consistency nila sa nagtuturo — hindi ano. First grade, tinuruan ka. Fifth grade, wala. High school, wala. College, wala. Wala.

That was October 17. Okay, pinaka-recent, two weeks ago, October 18 — 17-18. I have four angles of this. Okay, let’s look at the first one. Ito si UV Express.

Philippe: Hindi siya human error. Hindi siya mechanical error. This is pure road rage — pure road rage. Let’s look at this. Credits go to TV Patrol. Ito sinadya niya talagang…

Mclaine: Gumilid pa talaga eh. Oh may tangay-tangay pa siya.

Philippe: Tignan mo wala action action movie what? nandamay ka pa. Sorry. Tatlong beses ka umikot. Yes. Tatlong beses ka umikot, tapos sinadya. Sorry lang.

Ano kayang mangyayari dito? Let’s look at a different angle. Nakakainit talaga ng ulo. Look at this. Sorry for… Sino ba ‘to? Yun nag-upload. Credits to you kung sino ka naman.

Mclaine: Louie Lanz TV.

Philippe: Mr. Louie, maraming salamat po. We’re just viewing your video for reference lang. Gosh, look at that. Ito yung dump truck na tumutulong para ano… Yeah, the truck tried to stop it. Oh, trailer. Trailer pang movie ‘to. Grabe. Action sequence ‘to. Ayan, nakatakas. Wasak na yung…

Mclaine: Sabog na yung golong sa…Harap po.

Philippe: This guy has problems — mental health problems. Yeah. Tapos nag-u-turn siya. Diba? Sabi sa inyo, tatlong beses siya nag-u-turn.

Mclaine: Dun. Ayan. I think that was the…

Philippe: Okay. Let’s look at another angle. Sir Saaf 15. Ito nasa low. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Umandar pa.

Mclaine: Imagine yung tumpok ng motor na yan

Philippe: Ah, fudge So yun talagang… Oh, target.

Mclaine: From that video, talagang makikita mo na intentional.

Philippe: Intentional talaga. Papamura ka talaga eh.What’s wrong with this guy?

Background: Habang buhay na cancellation ng lisensiyang, ipinataw ng Department of Transportation…

Philippe: Give me integrated news.

Background: driver ng UV Express na humarurot at nang-araro ng mga sasakyan sa Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. As a DOTR, umamin ang suspect sa QCPD at LTO na nag-shaboo siya bago pumasada…

Mclaine: They’re really bad and… good and bad cause ng paggamit

Philippe: During that time, when I was hearing the news about this, noong pinatest nila, clear — clear of alcohol, clear of drugs. Pero apparently, siguro yung nagtest, I don’t know, but now na-confirm nila na nag-drug siya.

Yung video pala, Tito Wiwo. Courtesy of the video. Grabe. Oo, yan yung… What the hell? May mental issue talaga yan. Plus drugs.

Mclaine: Kick in. Late kick in.

Philippe: So guys, that’s the latest one. Hooper, sana wala na mangyayari this November 18, in December, kasi it’s already Christmas season. And we don’t want anymore deaths and injuries.

So mag-ingat tayo sa Commonwealth Avenue. Ride safe, drive safe. I don’t know, this one — driving under the influence, dapat… ano kayo mangyayari dito? Makukulong ba, to?

Mclaine: For sure.

Philippe: Frustrated? Ano ba ito? I’m not so familiar. Frustrated. Homicide ba? Homicide. Homicide. And… I don’t know, whatever, but… Anong nangyayari?

Mclaine: I think, technically, parang murder siya eh.

Philippe: May intent to kill? Intent, yes.

Mclaine: Kasi kung namatayo lang siya yata pag sa aksidente yun ata yung homicide

Philippe: Pero ito, may intent to kill. Whatever it is. Lawyers, tell us what… but what’s gonna happen?

Mclaine: Kulong.

Philippe: And then?

Mclaine: I’m not sure kung… aside sa kulong, revocation of license, tapos hindi na siya may issue ng…

Philippe: Gaano katanggal yung kulong kasi nakapatay siya. Ang daming injured, ang daming… And he’s a PUV driver. What’s the problem?

Karamihan ang mga aksidente dito, o karamihan ang mga nangyayari na incident dito sa Commonwealth, is… forget the private ones. PUV? We’re trying to promote commuting. How can we promote commuting if our drivers are like this? Walang gusto kong sumakay ng ganyan.

Mclaine: Ang daming klaseng ganyan driver.

Philippe: I think that’s the problem. I think not because… well, we know Commonwealth is a killer highway, but sino yung mga cause ng mga aksidente diyan? Yung mga binibigyan ng lisensya na walang… they don’t have the mental capacity to drive. Why is it in other countries walang ganyan?

Mclaine: Takot sila. Unang-una, I think sa ibang bansa, very strict ang pagkuha ng license. Hindi ganoon kahit kadali.

Philippe: At lalo kung public utility vehicle, very strict kasi… imagine when it comes to the… what do you call this? In the airplane industry. Kailangan mong pumasa at a certain… you have to be mentally prepared to fly out 200–300 passengers in one airplane, in a commercial airplane.

Hindi pwede na basta sino-sino, tapos may nagdodrugs, may umiinom. They’re very strict there. They have to apply this the same on ground.

Mclaine: Kasi buhay yung sakay nila eh.

Philippe: Exactly

Mclaine: So hindi siya dapat nalalayon sa airplane.

Philippe: This last incident, or the oldest incident, yung nangyayari, kawawa lahat ng mga tao kasi number one, okay, nakulong siya na revoking license. Nakulong siya ng, let’s say, 10 years.

May namatay. So we lost lives. Traumatic sa mga nagbumotor, sa mga vendors. What’s gonna happen? Nothing. Who’s gonna compensate them? Wala.

Mclaine: Dapat magkaroon siguro ang government ng program para doon sa mga ganyan. I think mas okay na mapunta sa ganyan, na makompensate o magkaroon ng makukuha yung mga naaksidente,

especially yung talagang mga road rage incidents na unintentional, para masuportahan sila physically, mentally, financially, kaysa naman sa mapunta lang sa bulsa ng kusina mga korakor. So balik na naman tayo sa ano.

Philippe: I think look this highway syempre ang daming aksidente all over. Pero I think Commonwealth has a lot more than EDSA. At least EDSA kahit papano kukunti lang yung aksidente parang bump lang.

Mclaine: Kasi sa EDSA dikit-dikit.

Philippe: Dikit-dikit dito sa traffic, at pag-usapan natin kung paano nakakonnect ang EDSA sa lahat ng Metro Manila cities, pero Commonwealth alone is very deadly. Dapat kulang ang kulang ang road widening, kulang ang daming kulang.

Kulang ang MRT, hindi pa pwede—madi-delay pa for another two years, two years daw from what I’ve heard sa interview ng contractor. Pero yun nga, confident ako sa Quezon City government. I’m very confident with them na we can do something about it.

Philippe: We can be proactive enough na i-screen, number one, lahat ng vehicles: public utility vehicles, mga jeep, mga bagong jeep, mga bus, at yung daan mismo. I-screen muna nila lahat yan.

Mclaine: So this will actually fall first sa LTO?

Philippe: Buti na lang LTO is in Quezon City, our main LTO is in Quezon City. Pero kung sino naman yung SEC or USEC doon, they have to be proactive enough to screen the drivers mentally and check their experience, kasi yung iba nililipat lang—taxi driver siya, mag-bus na siya, or bus driver, magta-taxi.

But the main point there is that all of this can be prevented. Mechanical failure, for example, can also be prevented. Sa mga bus companies, they should check their vehicles regularly—number one, they have to maintain them consistently, not just once a year.

Mclaine: I think for public utility vehicles, especially like these PUVs, inspections should be done monthly—or better yet, weekly. Kasi nga, masyadong worn out yung mga PUVs or mga jeepneys natin. Daily-daily yan, pumapasada ng eight hours a day, fully loaded.

So imagine mo yung yung ano ng sasakyan na talagang bumbo andar hinto liko dito liko dyan lubak dito. Okay, sana kung patag yung kalsada natin. Medyo hindi may stress yung sasakyan. Pero hindi. Meron ka ng traffic meron ka pang lubak may ano and then yung ano pa ng kalsada natin or yung mga sakay natin ng mga tao na sakay baba sakay baba dahil syempre public utility vehicle yan eh.

Mclaine: So dapat maging regular yung check nila. May nakikita tayong mga post ng LTO na nagchecheck sila. Eh, even MMDA, pag nakita nilang kalbo, ticket na agad yan. Pero dapat hindi na ticket eh. Taw na dapat agad yan.

Philippe: Exactly

Mclaine: Tapos taw suspended or hold nila yan hanggat hindi napapalitan ng bagong gulong. Kahit bayaran nila yung ano. Pag binayaran nila yung violation palitan muna yung bagong gulong and then pag napalitan yung bagong gulong i-under nila ngayon sa check-out.

Philippe: We need someone within LTO to be to be stricter. At dapat meron yung talagang matikuloso as a safety officer safety manager safety advocate safety ng tao. Is it safe for senior citizens to ride? For PW? For students? For children? For mothers?

For pregnant women? Is it safe? Huwag mong sasakay sila ng bus na ganyan. Kawawa naman sila. If you killed a pregnant woman you killed two people already. Anyway, enough about the ranting about this.

Mclaine: Pero we have someone na nagpupush ng ganito eh. It just so happen di siya nanalo eh. Si Colonel Busita. Hindi lang siya pro motorcycle riders. Pro-motorist siya. Talagang strict siya. I guess kaya hindi siya nanalo kasi nga sobrang ganda nung platforma niya para mayayos yung motorist system natin na maraming tatamaan.

Maraming maapektuhan. Kasi kung magiging stricter, no fixer yung mga PMV—ano, PM private motor vehicle inspection—dapat doon pa lang eh.

Mclaine: Pag dumaan sa inspection tapos nakalusot yung sasakyan at nagkaroon na aksidente, tapos malaman mo na oh kalbong gulong, oh sino ba kanina dumaan to? Sinong inspection? Dapat i-revoke ang license nun. Kasi ang nangyayari dyan, under the table as usual—common na sa atin. Pero anyway, so yun lang, hopefully magmaayos yung system natin.

Philippe: On a positive note on Quezon City, one particular person who has made the change for Quezon City to progress. We know that Quezon City is full of buses, and this one specific person she’s our beloved Mayor Joy Belmonte. She took the initiative and she made it happen na ngayon yung mga city bus natin karamihan ang mga city buses natin ngayon. ChatGPT said:

Bago can accommodate so many passengers, the bus drivers are well trained. And guess what? Kinonvert nila yung mga buses to electric bus. Good for the environment—hindi siya mausok. For the seniors and children, pwede na silang sumakay without air conditioning.

Philippe: Alam ko, may wifi din. So imagine this—the progress that she has brought to Quezon City. Her initiative alone is improving the situation, but still, meron naman yung mga iilan dyan, mga bus companies, na they don’t want to progress; they don’t want to evolve into something that’s better for the public.

Thank God our mayor in Quezon City has that initiative.

Mclaine: So this is our all electric?

Philippe: Yes

Mclaine: So this would be the second sa Pinas? The first is in Davao?

Philippe: Most probably. Yan 8 new electric QCT This was a long time ago pa nadagdagan pa. Yes, this was somewhat, I think, a mid-year launch, and nadagdagan pa this third quarter. Maganda, maganda—it may even have CCTV.

The floorings are lowered compared to the usual transportation, with wheelchair ramps and areas for PWD passengers. Each E-bus is also equipped with handrails fire suppression as well as emergency equipment CCTV cameras and a smart TV.

Mclaine: Parang kamukha to ng mga P2P buses na ganyan dyan na mayroong ramp for So correct me wala palang WiFi.

Philippe: Alam, baka ano pala yun mga P2P or I don’t know I don’t know Maybe, baka naman pwede nyong lagyan diba because nowadays people are into cellphones so malaking baga yun. Yeah. City government aims to reduce 30% of greenhouse gas emission by 2030.

Mclaine: So, ah so 8 ngayon or 8 to before?

Philippe: ChatGPT said: This was previously 8 when they started, and now it’s been increased. And nakakita ko sila near City Hall every time I visit City Hall. I see a lot of these E-buses going around and going to Fairview.

Mclaine: So it’s not free free to ride?

Philippe: Yung iba free.

Mclaine: Yung sa Davao nakita ko libre yung pasakay sa ano eh.

Philippe: Hold on.Sorry. Correction. It is free.

Mclaine: okay

Philippe: As part of the steadfast commitment to building a green livable and sustainable city. Free.

Mclaine: Nice.

Philippe: Oh di ba? Thank you, Mayor Joy.

Mclaine: Sana, sana ilan na nila kinostomize na nila yung bus they put solar panel dun sa ano para hindi na nila iintindihin yung mag low bat yung ano.

Kasi ngayon it’s new medyo okay yan in a year or two. Pero kung walang maintenance ng charging ayaw may free na pala o.

Philippe: I’m pretty sure they have the platform here where Quezon City is such a progressive city. We’re gonna have those platforms special platforms. Libre yung sakay sa QC City Bus Service. August as of August 13.

Ito yung mga routes. City Hall to Cubao. Quezon City Hall to Litex IVP Road through Commonwealth. Quezon City Hall to General Luis Avenue. Rotonda to Aurora Katipunan.

Philippe: Quezon City Hall to Mindanao Avenue. Quezon City Hall to Gilmer Avenue. Quezon City Hall to Ortigas Avenue. Quezon City Hall to Muñoz. So ang main ano natin is Quezon City Hall. Yan yung routes. Look at this progress.

Mclaine: So definitely itong bus na ito laging loaded. Kasi ito ata ba yan ng masa? Actually, hindi lang masa kahit yung mga afford na mag-commute. Anyway, it’s for the public naman, di ba?

Kaya sana mabigyan ng focus yung mga PWD na huwag nilang i-occupy yung Ako, I noticed kasi I believe with ano.

Philippe: I think they’re doing well here. I haven’t yet I yet have to experience this. We’re gonna head out probably by the month of November. Experience lang natin.

Mclaine: Right?

Philippe: Wala namang wawala, di ba? So experience lang natin.

But very proud to say that our mayor in Quezon City has made this happen.

Mclaine: Question, Kung kaya nilang gawin, kaya ginawa ng Davao. And now, the Quezon City government ginawa nito. Bakit hindi kaya gawin lahat? Sa lahat? Start with two buses. Two or three buses. Magkaroon ng ganyan. Since we are evolving, technology natin eh. And parang lahat lumalabas na mostly na-convert to E-bus, E-trike, E-car.

Philippe: The problem is, for example, yung face-off ng mga jeepneys. Anti-poor. Not knowing its progress. So yung mga poor, anti-poor. Yung skyway daw, anti-poor. What do you call this? The expressways, highways, anti-poor. Yan ang problema. But yung mga working population, how do we see it?

Progress. Progress yan. Overall progress. Imagine kung lahat naging electric. We’ll still have these drivers who are some of these crazy drivers but at least the environment pa lang we’re gonna be smoke-free. The air quality is gonna be better, it’s gonna be good to commute.

Philippe: Problem kasi ng karamihan na mga tough, puso. Ba’t ako mag-commute? Lalo sa metro. Ba’t ako mag-commute? May sakit ako. Ba’t ako mag-commute? Buntis ako. Ba’t ako mag-commute? Kahit mag-grab ka, paglabas mo ng ano, kakaantay mo, ano na eh. Diba? It’s polluted.

Anyway, we’re going off track. Accidents of 2025 in Commonwealth Avenue, the killer highway. By far, nakailan tayo? 8? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 8 accidents.

Mclaine: Huwag niyo nang dagdagan please.

Philippe: Yes. Drive safe. Drive safe

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