SENATOR Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate public services committee, reminded Grab taxi operators “not to grab” more profits as the transport network company officially takes over its competitor, Uber.
In a statement, Poe said 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,” said Poe as she called on the 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.
The senator said she was hopeful that through dialogue and open channels of communication all the stakeholders could strike a balance that would not hurt the pocket of Grab’s riders but would not leave Grab’s drivers empty-handed either.
“Let us look for our Goldilocks moment…” Poe said.
Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to closely monitor the cost structure of the ride-hailing services, and for the Philippine Competition Commission to ensure that Grab’s acquisition of Uber would not result in anti-competitive practices.
“They should also establish benchmarks that are internationally accepted to detect potential abuses of a monopoly,” Gatchalian said in a separate statement.
He also cited the need for the LTFRB to review all the fees and charges to be imposed on commuters.
“And do not allow them to impose higher charges than [those in] other countries,” said Gatchalian.
He added the LTRFB should also mandate Grab to issue a breakdown in their receipts to ensure transparency in the fare they exacted from commuters.