PRESS Secretary Ignacio Bunye yesterday took potshots at drivers who resort to "unregulated counterflows" during heavy traffic in a futile bid to evade a chaotic traffic situation.

And like thousands before him, he finally got the experience to back his talk. Bunye said he and his wife got stuck in traffic for more than an hour on the way to Baguio during the holidays.

He said at in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, bullheaded drivers created their own lanes, thinking they could cut through traffic, but this only resulted in more traffic.

But Bunye defended the use of the counterflow by the presidential convoy during traffic situations, even if motorists complain of heavy traffic after the convoy has passed.

"We draw the distinction between a regulated and coordinated counterflow versus unregulated counterflow. Advance motorcycle escorts are able to coordinate traffic ahead," he said in a text message to reporters.

Bunye said Filipinos, starting this year, should show that they are worthy of being world class by displaying world-class behavior and giving world-class services.

He cited the practice in several restaurants of making a customer wait for an hour before informing him his order is not available, and then invoking the classic Pinoy line of "Pasensiya na."

He also cited the practice of not giving exact change, which is either condoned by management or part of a conspiracy among unscrupulous sales staff.

"I have said many times that each one of us has to take personal responsibility in order for real changes to take place in our country. These incidents may be petty, but they pervade our daily life and have come to be accepted as part of the way things work. If we are to be at par with the rest of the world, hindi pwede ang pwede na," he said.