FOLLOWING the resignation of US-based Uber Technologies Inc. chief executive and founder Travis Kalanick, a group of lawyers asked on Wednesday the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to immediately summon Uber representatives in the Philippines to report their business status which they said may impact the firm's extension petition to operate.
Lawyer Ariel Inton of the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection appealed to LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra to inquire into the business issues of Uber and how the resignation of Kalanick could affect its operation under the transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) program.
He raised concern over the "shareholder revolt" within Uber at the wake of scandals involving its culture and policies.
Kalanick stepped down as head of the San Francisco-based company over strong pressure from five major investors.
A week ago, Inton, a former LTFRB board of director, aired strong suspicion that Kalanick’s leave of absence due to the death of his mother in a boating accident was just a defense to cover up the trouble in the internal affairs of Uber.
"LTFRB must observe caution and exercise due diligence in the examination of Uber's petition for extension of its TNVS license," he said.
He said the conflict in the Uber mother company could trigger adverse impacts on the welfare of the Filipino commuters as well as the job security of Uber partners in the Philippines, reportedly numbering about 15,000.
"It is important to know what is actually happening with Uber as the parent company of Uber in the Philippines," he said, saying that the management rift could fuel other serious problems.
The determination of Uber's financial status could give the LTFRB an opportunity to review the firm's TNVS extension petition, he said.