Presidential Car - 3 Reasons Why PNoy Deserves a New Car

For the past few days, the debated issue of giving Philippine President Benigno "NoyNoy" Aquino III (or PNoy as he is affectionately known) a new presidential car has been gaining quite a bit of heat from many fellow Filipinos. Granted, any significant expense for a public official automatically raises eyebrows here in the Philippines (who can blame them?) but here is my rundown of reasons why it is perfectly alright to grant PNoy his new presidential car.

President NoyNoy Aquino, probably wondering Y U NO approve his new car.

#1. The Office
He is, as many might still want to deny it, the President of the Republic of the Philippines. With this position in the highest public office comes perks and privileges. This is understandable. I find it ridiculous that a nation of almost a hundred million will allow their first and primary representative in the world to drive his own vehicle (a 4x4 truck). It does not matter how wealthy PNoy is, the fact and bottom line is that the Office which he currently sits in does have provisions for a vehicle worthy of said office. It's as simple as that. I am sure anyone in his right state of mind would love to be given a vehicle if the job came with it.

#2. The Budget
What worries many Filipinos is the sheer expense of the new car. I have heard that it may be a Mercedes-Benz limousine, with all the upgrades expected of a Presidential vehicle (this would include the standard bullet-proofing, heavy-duty engine, special tires, etc.) and this would understandably cost a lot more than the 'average' luxury car. There's something to think about here, though. The initial costs of purchasing a new presidential car means the Philippines is getting a brand new presidential vehicle (which he doesn't own, by the way) and safety for our political leader and commander in chief. A pretty okay deal, if you ask me. In the long run, it's better to spend now on a high-quality machine rather than spend hundreds of thousands later on fixing a dilapidated one.

Given that this might be the car, it is envy-provoking

#3. The Status
This might seem shallow, but I believe he deserves a new presidential car simply because every world leader has one. The vehicle is more than a method of getting from A to B (if this was the case, PNoy can bike for all I care), it is also the extension of his authority and the extension of us as the general public. Would we seriously take it lying down if the president of the Philippines was mocked for being sent to official events and functions using a taxi? In the end, and as much as we hate to admit it, we will never allow ourselves - through PNoy - to be expressed in a lesser way, and part of this is how we get somewhere.

Give the man a break; get him his car.

Inspired by this news report from Yahoo! Philippines.