New Filipino President Asks Cabinet to Shed Luxury Fleet

MANILA: Rightly said once by Italian thinker Antonio Gramsci – “The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born”. The newly elected prez of the Philippines - Rodrigo Duterte seems to bring a new wave of change in the country. Duterte is already known for his works done as the militantly anticrime mayor of the Davao City and now when he has taken the new chair, he is taking some major decisions for the commutation and transportation of government officials also. Right now, all he has asked is to release a statement, instructing the public officials to restrict the use of luxury vehicles with immediate effect.

The new president had himself used Isuzu Mu-X and D-Max as official vehicles during his tenure as the mayor of Davao City and finds such drives suitable and feasible for the public officials to drive during their official visits. Bong Go – the Executive Assistant of Duterte, on his behalf has advised the future members of his Cabinet to not use luxurious vehicles anymore and start sending their suggestions from the mass market fleet. Though, the suggestions are welcomed but initially Toyota Avanza and Isuzu Crosswind have been found suitable to replace the luxurious fleet. However, this decision has received a mixed response as many officials don't agree with the suggestion to travel in the 'ordinary' cars to the Congress of the Philippines and find it below their designation and dignity but nobody has come up with a raised voice till now while the others have appreciated this suggestion and are willing to use the vehicles used by majority of the public.

Duterte has stated that this would bring a sense of equality and confidence in the public who have trusted upon the public officials with their votes. Also, an excess 'wastage' of funds can be stopped which can be further used in generating more employment for the Filipinos. While Duterte had preferred pickups during his political career till his last designation, he is open to suggestions from AUV and SUV segments also. One important fact to mention here is that the new prez himself is yet to decide his official new fleet, which might be a blend of mass market and exquisite class vehicles. Let's see if Duterte selects a hi-tech luxury like Mercedes-Benz S-Class Guard for himself asking his cabinet to go unguarded in AUVs or brings some flexibility in his decision for them!

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