The absence of privilege on our roads

I don't know if I'm the only one who's noticed it, but it's been a while since I've seen cars bearing the No. 7 or No. 8 license plates-those reserved for senators and members of the House of Representatives.

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I live in the northern part of Metro Manila, a place where many lawmakers are known to reside. It used to be that you couldn't drive down Commonwealth Avenue or through some village streets without spotting those cars or their convoys.

Now, they're nowhere to be seen. The flashing lights of a car with a special plate, with escorts bullying their way through traffic-they, too, seem to have disappeared.

Of course there are still convoys weaving through traffic, but there's no car with a special plate among them. But there's always a luxury SUV and a vehicle trailing it while occupying half of the next lane, effectively blocking the path of other vehicles - and causing traffic. Unfortunately, that sign of privilege is still on the road.

Even at the neighborhood salon where I spend lazy Sunday afternoons, it's been quite a while since I've seen clientele with bodyguards in polo barong waiting silently in the reception area.