CITY COUNCILOR CALLS AGAINST SELECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT

“What deeply concerns me is not the enforcement of the law, but the selective manner in which it was applied,” City Councilor Rosendo Morales said in his privilege speech delivered as allowed in the regular session of the Sangguniang Panglunsod on January 21, 2026.

Councilor Morales was subject of a photograph that circulated on social media “showing him operating a motorcycle on July 16, 2026 along Rosales Boulevard, Calbayog City without wearing a standard protective motorcycle helmet,” the Adjudicated Resolution dated July 20, 2026 states.

The City Councilor, in his speech, cited a particular post of another LGU employee with accompanying remarks that subjected him to ridicule, humiliation, and accusations of abuse of authority.

“At no time did I abuse my authority or position,” Morales emphasized.
Stressing that non-wearing of the helmet was never intended to disregard the law, the Councilor explained that he inadvertently left his helmet at the carwash shop for cleaning services of his motorcycle. He was on his way back to the carwash shop to retrieve his helmet when the image was captured and posted on social media.

“What deeply concerns me is not the enforcement of the law, but the selective manner in which it was applied,” Morales said thereby citing an instance about another member of the Sanggunian who committed the same violation under similar circumstances but was not posted. Nonetheless, Councilor Morales claims he was “publicly identified, photographed, posted on social media, and subjected to public humiliation.”

With emphasis that the law must be applied equally to everyone, accountability should never be selective. Otherwise, “justice losses it meaning when one person is singled out while others who committed the same act are spared from public scrutiny.”
“I therefore respectfully appeal to everyone, especially those entrusted with enforcing the law and those who use social media, to exercise fairness, responsibility and professionalism,” Morales said.

Further, the city councilor further asked for everybody to “promote accountability without resorting to selective treatment, personal attacks or actions that unnecessarily destroy another person’s reputation.

Morales assured to remain committed to serving the constituents with integrity, humility and respect with acceptance to shortcomings and to continuously strive hard to become a better public servant.

“I will also stand firmly against selective enforcement, false accusations and any act that undermines the dignity and equal right to every individual,” Morales stressed.

“May this incident serve as a reminder that while none is above the law, no one should be below the protection of fairness, equality, and due process,” the legislator concluded.(JMM)