Sen. Grace Poe. Photo by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net
Grab should not “grab” more profits.
Senator Grace Poe made the remark as the transport network company (TNC) officially takes over its competitor, Uber, starting this Monday.
READ: Grab to keep Uber app open until April 15
“There should be no room for predatory pricing by a firm allowed to engage in public service. Being the surviving entity does not authorize Grab to grab more profits,” Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, said in a statement.
The senator also urged regulatory agencies to see to it that the riding public was protected while ensuring that Grab drivers would earn a fair income for their hard work.
“I am hopeful that through dialogue and open channels of communication all the stakeholders can strike a balance that will not hurt the pocket of Grab’s riders but will not leave Grab’s drivers empty-handed either,” she said.
“Hanapin natin ang Goldilocks moment, ang tamang timpla, na hindi ikaiinit ng ulo ng pasahero, at hindi ikalalamig ng driver. ‘Yung tamang presyo at serbisyo na masaya ang lahat,” Poe added.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also called on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to closely monitor the cost structure of the ride-hailing services, and for the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to ensure that Grab’s acquisition of Uber would not result in anti-competitive practices.
READ: Grab buys Uber; PCC sets review
The PCC and LTFRB, he said, should go “deeper into the cost structure of TNVS or ride-hailing services.”
“They should also establish benchmarks that are international accepted to detect potential abuses of a monopoly,” Gatchalian said in a separate statement.
“Dapat i-review ng LTFRB ang lahat ng fees at charges na pinapatong sa commuters. At huwag payagan mag-charge ng mas mataas pa kaysa sa ibang bansa. Imandato din ng LTFRB ang Grab na i-breakdown ang resibo at maging mas transparent pa sa mga singil sa commuters,” he further said. /kga