One rule that gets broken all the time in Manila is the 'no jaywalking' rule, which basically means you're only supposed to cross the road at pedestrian crossings or footbridges. I work as a nurse and I walk to the hospital every morning, so I see it happening constantly.
The worst spot is near the big shopping area on the main avenue. There's a footbridge just a short walk away, but people still dodge between jeepneys and buses because it's quicker. Sometimes there are even barriers in the middle of the road, and people climb over them.
I think there are a few reasons. The first is simply time; everyone's in a rush, and climbing a footbridge in thirty-degree heat is exhausting, especially if you're carrying shopping or a child. Another reason is that the rule isn't enforced very consistently. Now and again there's a crackdown and officers stop people, but most of the time nobody gets caught, so it feels like there's no real consequence.
Honestly, my feelings are mixed. As a nurse, I've treated people injured by vehicles, so part of me gets quite frustrated when I see someone take a risk just to save two minutes. But I can also understand it, because some footbridges are badly placed, poorly lit at night and frankly a bit unsafe. So I don't think the answer is only stricter fines. If the city put crossings where people naturally want to walk, I reckon most of them would happily follow the rule.