THE US pop-rock band Stephen Speaks’ frontman has apologized for flexing in social media that their Grab driver in Manila was able to get away with a traffic violation just by a bribing the traffic enforcer with a selfie with him.
Rockwell Ryan Ripperger said it was “just a poor choice of words” on their part that led them to post what they thought was a funny incident.
“It was done in jest that resulted in this. We apologize to all who have been bothered by this seeming disregard for authority,” he said using the Facebook Page of Stephen Speaks.
“Passenger Seat” acoustics band member said they will “learn” from this experience.
“Rest assured, we respect all the authorities in the Philippines… Once more, my sincerest apologies,” Speaks’ Ripperger added.
What Stephen Speaks spoke about
The acoustics / rock-hip band member took to Facebook to share his Grab ride that got pulled over after the driver ran the red light.
“My tour crew bribed him [the officer] with a selfie with me to let us go. He said he sings ‘Passenger Seat’ at the karaoke bar. I was like…I can’t believe that actually worked,” he said while finishing the post with crying-while-laughing emojis.
He, however, edited his post to clarify that his grab driver did not commit any violation, as seen on the record of his dashcam.
“The kid driving us showed the officer on his dashcam that he was clear of the light, someone stopped in front of him, and that’s why he didn’t make it all the way through…you all need to chill out, we aren’t criminals here,” he said.
MMDA miffed
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was triggered at the post of Speaks.
The MMDA said it will investigate if the traffic enforcer who was bribed with a selfie is one of its personnel.
It agency stressed that fame, power, and connections are not considered free passes to avoid being ticketed for traffic violations.
“The MMDA would like to stress that fame, power, and connections are not considered free passes to avoid being ticketed. It is wrong that a traffic violator was not given a citation ticket just because the passenger is a well-known figure,” MMDA said.
“Likewise, drivers and motorists who get away with their traffic violations just by using their popularity and connections and boasting about it on social media are not praiseworthy and not something to be emulated for,” it added.
Speaks’ clarification won’t save the enforcer, driver
The MMDA said if Speaks’ claim is valid, the enforcer was also wrong in flagging the alleged offender.
Motorists who cross a green light but get stuck in the middle just when the light changes to red should only be flagged down if given a signal by the enforcer beforehand.
MMDA will coordinate with Land Transportation Office Chief Jay Art Tugade to “look further into the possible suspension of licenses” of those involved in the incident.
Stephen Speaks frontman Ripperger has been in the country since February 8, performing in shows and events such as UP Fair, the Theater at Solaire, the Wish Bus, and various malls.
