Isn’t there something “off” about this? We love feel-good stories as much as the next person, but we have an obligation to point out the truth as well. In this case, the truth is on record.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Traffic Enforcer 3 Fernando Gonzales got a lot of praise — and even a raise — after he was photographed selling kakanin on the road to augment his income.
READ: Viral: Traffic enforcer sells ‘kakanin’ on the road
MMDA chair Francis Tolentino himself called summoned Gonzales to his office and reportedly tagged him as “a good example” for other employees.
Gonzales revealed that he sold kakanin because he wanted to make sure his kids were not deprived of their needs.
That’s great. However, something Gonzales said in a Nov 10 Philstar.com article made us think twice about heaping him with even more praise.
The article, which was written by Mike Frialde clearly states:
“The 51-year-old Gonzales – a resident of Bagong Barrio, Caloocan – who was summoned to the MMDA office on Monday afternoon, November 10, said he only sells rice cakes on his rest days over the weekend. Gonzales said he wears his uniform while peddling the rice cakes which his wife makes in order for motorists to notice him.”
Gonzales himself was quoted as saying, “Naka-uniform ako kasi ‘pag nakaordinaryong damit po ako hindi naman po sila bibili e.”
Translation: “I wear my uniform because when I am wearing ordinary clothes, they won’t buy from me.”
Now, that is clearly wrong, right?
We support Gonzales’ kakanin venture and we praise him for the fact that he reprotedly doesn’t accept bribes.
However, it’s hardly proper for him to use his MMDA uniform to entice (for lack of a better word) people to buy what he’s selling.
