Move It, a local transport solutions provider, said Friday its partnership with Grab Philippines is “above board” as it lauded the Department of Transportation for pushing a law that would allow the government to issue franchises to motorcycle taxi operators.
“Like we have always said, our transaction is above board and beyond scrutiny, and we feel that [DOTr] Secretary [Jaime] Bautista’s statement should reassure those who think otherwise,” said Move It chairman Francis Juan.
Bautista earlier said he did not see the need to review the partnership between Grab and Move It because it was a “private transaction” and that the focus of the Transportation department was safety.
Transport civic groups urged the government to review the deal between Grab and Move It, claiming that it was designed for Grab to get an instant accreditation.
Move It had said the acquisition only resulted in “change of ownership and no merger of operations,” as it would continue to have its own separate mobile application.
The motorcycle taxi firm said the “accreditation remains its own and does not transfer to Grab,” while stressing that the deal was concluded after “rigorous legal due diligence.”
“The country’s growing motorcycle taxi industry has just found a strong ally in Secretary Bautista. We thank him for adding his voice to the urgent need to recognize motorcycle taxis as a public transport option,” Juan said.
Motorcycle taxis have yet to be officially legalized as a form of public transportation and are operating under a pilot study.
The government accredited three firms—Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It—for the pilot run, which would aid in crafting laws allowing motorcycle taxis on the road.