Uber willing to pay hefty fine as ‘rectification’ for mess with LTFRB

Senator Grace Poe meets with LTFRB and Uber executives. Photo from Senator Grace Poe’s office.

Uber Philippines has committed to pay a fine of more than five million pesos for violating Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regulations so that the agency would lift the suspension on the ride-sharing firm’s operations.

However, Uber would still have to file another appeal to the LTFRB to convert the suspension to paying a fine.

This means the suspension will continue until the LTFRB hears the pleading of Uber in another board hearing on Wednesday, August 23.

This development happened after Senator Grace Poe, along with other senators, met with LTFRB and Uber representatives at the Senate in a bid to lift the suspension on Uber vehicles that some quarters said had caused inconvenience to the drivers and the riding public.

READ: LTFRB: Uber still suspended

In an ambush interview after the hearing, Poe expressed frustration about the processes in the government that’s prolonging the decision on the suspension.

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

“They’re (Uber) following the law but I’m sorry to say that it’s our regulation itself that’s making it slower,” Poe said.

Poe then told the LTFRB: “Kung talagang iniisip ay ang ating drivers at mananakay, ang offer ng Uber ay napaka-generous dahil tinatanggap nila ang pagkakamali nila at sinabi rin mismo nila na kung ano ang requirements ng LTFRB na hinihingi sa kanilang data, ibibigay nila.”

(If they are really thinking about the welfare of the drivers and the riding public, they should consider Uber’s generous offer, because they are also admitting that they were mistaken and that they were willing to comply with the data LTFRB is asking.)

Asked if the fine Uber has to pay would reach up to P5 million, Poe said: “Multiply that many times so it’s actually very generous.”

Uber and another ride-sharing firm Grab were earlier fined P5 million for their violations.

In a separate interview, Uber Regional General Manager Mike Brown said Uber will take responsibility for the “misunderstanding” with the LTFRB that had led the board to impose a suspension against the transport networking company.

“If we can pay a fine as part of rectifying what happened, we will do that. Our top priority is to get our drivers back on the road and [earning] and serve the people of the Philippines,” Brown said. –Julliane Love De Jesus, IDL