Suspension order vs Uber PH still stands—LTFRB

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III CDN FILE PHOTO / JUNJIE MENDOZA

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Tuesday its one-month suspension against Uber Philippines remains in effect, adding that the regulatory body would apprehend drivers who continue to operate.

“The use of the app is suspended. If you still continue to do that then you will engage outside the parameters… it means colorum ka,” LTFRB Chair Martin Delgra III said in a press conference.

LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada added that drivers who, despite the August 14 suspension order, continue to operate would be apprehended.

Drivers who are caught plying would face a fine of P120,000 and their units would be impounded for three months, Lizada added.

The LTFRB suspended the transport network company (TNC) on Monday after the latter defied a July 26 order to discontinue accrediting new drivers pending the resolution to the government regulator’s issues with the company.

Following this, Uber suspended its operations from 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday. However, they announced the resumption of its services at around 11:00 a.m. after they filed a motion for reconsideration to LTFRB.

READ: Uber files motion for reconsideration, resumes operations

“This means that Uber’s operations will continue until the motion is resolved. Consequently, we will be resuming serving Metro Manila and Cebu,” Uber Philippines said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

“Over the course of this morning, tens of thousands of riders were left stranded, causing needless inconvenience, while drivers were unable to access the earning opportunities they rely on,” the TNC added.

During the press conference, LTFRB maintained their decision. Lizada also enumerated Uber’s violations from 2015 to 2017, including sexual harassment by drivers, overcharging, colorum, and failure to discount senior citizens, among others. JPV