Pimentel defends endorsement for bike-hire app JoyRide to join pilot test

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Friday confirmed his endorsement of transport app company JoyRide PH to join the first pilot test run for motorcycle taxis, citing the need to diminish a climate of monopoly in the blossoming motorcycle ride-hailing industry.

Pimentel’s name cropped up Thursday when executives of JoyRide addressed allegations that came out in social media that he had extended a letter of the company to Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade to include its bid in the pilot test of motorcycle taxis.

“A pilot testing program must reflect real life situation and there should be competition and not a monopoly,” Pimentel said in a statement Friday.

“When Joyride asked to be endorsed to join the pilot testing initial period I endorsed their interest to the DOTr (Department of Transportation), WHICH THE DOTR DID NOT ACCOMMODATE,” he added.

Pimentel said even the lawyers of Angkas, the largest bike-for-hire app in the country that JoyRide sought to contest, “know that monopolies are prohibited not only under the law, but even under our constitution.”

“Hence, when I learned about a ‘pilot testing’ on motorcycle taxis conducted by DOTr involving just one service provider, then that policy prohibiting monopolies entered my mind,” he said.

Both JoyRide and Angkas offer commuters motorcycle rides as an alternative to regular taxis and other app-based vehicles amid horrendous metro traffic.

However, motorcycle apps are still not fully legal in the Philippines, as the riders are now operating through a pilot testing period which runs until March 2020. After this, a study would be created to check on this mode of transportation’s viability.

“In real life, if we make motorcycle taxis legal, it still cannot be a monopoly kasi bawal yon (Becuase that is not allowed),” Pimentel said.

JoyRide has earlier denied allegations some administration personalities have a stake in the company but admitted having sough Pimentels’ help in their bid to participate in the pilot test of motorcycle taxis.

“The initial period ended in Dec. 2019 without (JoyRide) being allowed to participate,” said Pimentel.