LTFRB stands ground, tells Uber not to use public convenience as excuse

LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Do not use public convenience as an excuse to defy orders.

This was the message of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Body (LTFRB) to Uber as it reminded on Wednesday the transport network company (TNC) that it is the regulatory body following the company’s “clear defiance” of the agency’s order not to accredit new drivers and cars into its platform.

LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada defended the agency’s decision to suspend Uber operations despite online criticisms from the public.

“They say it’s for the convenience of the riding public. Uber keeps on saying convenience, convenience… pero [but], sir, it does not [equate] to allowing them to violate the law, even the orders of the Board,” Lizada said in an interview with DZIQ Radyo Inquirer 990.

“So kailangan lagyan ng preno [we need to put the brakes on], let them know who is the regulatory body, who regulates [whom]. We are here to execute the law. ‘Yun naman talaga ginagawa namin (That’s what we have been doing all along),” she added.

READ: LTFRB: Uber still suspended

Lizada said that Uber did not comply with the LTFRB’s July 26 order disallowing the accreditation of new drivers and cars into TNCs’ platforms. On July 27, the LTFRB was able to enroll three vehicles into Uber’s system by just going to its website.

“Doon namin nadiscover na pwede palang mag-add ng vehicles even kung nasa bahay ang kanilang mga partners (That’s when we discovered that one can add vehicles even at the comfort of one’s home) without necessarily going through their offices,” she explained.

Uber also issued a statement on August 1 that it continued to accept applications for new vehicles, the official noted.

“So ibig sabihin, [it is a] clear defiance of the July 26 order. That’s why we say that it is time that Uber takes another hit kasi it appears na hindi sila nadala sa fine (because it appears that they did not learn from being fined),” she said.

LTFRB previously fined Uber, as well as Grab, with P5-million fee for illegal operations. However, the official said that the agency cannot do this every time Uber violates the law, despite the pressure from the public, including senators, to fine the company.

READ: Poe says Uber also at fault, but insists LTFRB suspension order too severe

“We [ordered a] suspension hoping that Uber will clip its wings and follow regulations because it’s been soaring, parang ayaw magparegulate (it seems they do not want to be regulated),” Lizada said.

Lizada maintained that there is no problem if companies want to do business in the country as long as they follow the law. IDL