Singapore is called a Fine City because rules are strict, and you can get fined for all sorts of things. Paris is called the City of Lights because it was one of the first places to have proper street lighting. By that logic, Metro Manila should be called the Theoretical City, because in theory, things should be absolutely perfect around here. We have rules and laws in place to govern everything—from pollution to noise levels, drink-driving, driver education, and more. The problem is that these laws are being selectively enforced, and that’s putting it politely.

The latest regulation that is currently being added to the “Ignore As You Please” pile is the e-bike/e-trike ban that came into force on January 2 of this year. This very first day saw a few attempts at enforcement by the authorities, because they needed to be seen to be doing something, but it didn’t take long for the old status quo to return. While out looking for erring e-bikes in the early evening, I didn’t have to search very hard to see them still tootling about EDSA and Roxas Boulevard as if nothing had changed.

As if to give an almost satirical example of the state of affairs around here, I watched a number of e-trikes driving along a road they were banned from, while a local TV crew reported a piece about e-trikes being banned from the very same road. And this isn’t the first time a new rule is being introduced and then mostly ignored. There are many other examples that could be listed here, and the reasons for high levels of noncompliance or outright failures can be found anywhere in a wild mix of lack of enforcement, corruption, and rules that often simply don’t make any sense.

So, should we just give up and make it a free-for-all on the roads of the megalopolis and beyond? Of course not. Change for the better is possible, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It does, however, have to come from somewhere, and ideally that place is the very top. I don’t think I need to explain to you why this means that—at least for now—you shouldn’t hold your breath and expect miracles to be performed when it comes to transforming the streets into the place they truly deserve to be. Read a history book instead of social media posts if you’re not sure.

But there is hope for the future. Hope that one of two types of leadership might grab the reins and wrestle this place toward a better tomorrow: either a gentle, kind soul with the right attitude and respect for fellow human beings and the determination to do the right things, or a strongman in the style of Lee Kuan Yew, who will whip the place into shape and turn Metro Manila into the next Singapore. We had a strongman not too long ago, and that didn’t really work out so well. So maybe it’s time to look for someone with the biggest heart for the country (and the least political baggage or ulterior motives).

Where does that leave the e-trike ban right now? I can tell you exactly: It will be enforced half-heartedly for a little while, celebrated as another success by the powers-that-be, and not actually improve anything in the end. I get it that tootling about on EDSA or C5 in what is essentially a souped-up mobility scooter isn’t the safest thing to do, but banning them isn’t going to make the problem magically go away. Quite the opposite. The more the ban is expanded, the more people will buy similar vehicles with combustion engines to circumvent the rules because they still need to go places. That means same traffic (and more pollution), of which we really have enough already.

Instead of banning e-bikes/e-trikes, more efforts should be spent expanding the infrastructure network for alternative modes of transportation. A segregated bicycle lane along EDSA, for example, instead of the now mostly removed painted-on excuse for a lane that is being abused by motorbikes and more a danger than a help to cyclists. It basically needs a complete culture change, away from worshiping the private car and listening to its various lobby groups.

It’s totally possible, but as mentioned above, it requires a powerful impulse from the top. Until that happens, we’ll be stuck with loads of rules that are being used and abused as people see fit. Meanwhile, the Philippines will fall further behind its neighbors in everything from quality of life to tourism, and we’ll keep asking ourselves why. As the old saying goes: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

In theory, Metro Manila is perfect. Practically, the old lady is ready to be involuntarily committed. If only there was a doctor who could heal her.