BACK on September 5, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade made what can be assumed to be the administration’s request to Congress for “emergency powers” to be granted to President Rodrigo Duterte in order that he can “solve” the traffic gridlock that has crippled Metro Manila. This is at least the third or fourth time the idea of “emergency powers” has been floated, and though it hardly seems possible, it makes even less sense now than it did before.