OVER 5,000 applications for Uber Systems Inc. have been dismissed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for their failure to submit a formal offer of evidence.
Ariel Enrile Inton Jr., one of the two LTFRB board members, said out of the 11,727 applications as of April 4, at least 5,048 applications have been rejected.
“We have given them ample time to comply with all the necessary documents, we have duly informed Uber as early as October of last year but they seem to be very much occupied that most applications failed to submit formal offer of evidence,” he said.
“Hence, we have no choice but to issue the order of dismissal. As of today, there are 5,048 applications which we dismissed.”
Don Mark Calimon, Uber’s legal counsel, said they will abide by the order and will immediately inform the “unfortunate” applicants about LTFRB’s order of dismissal.
He said the affected Uber operators will be removed from the app-based Uber system.
“Previously, LTFRB was being accused to have been favoring the transport network companies [TNCs] for being lenient and extra kind, I believe the dismissal of more than 5,000 applications will give those detractors the thought that our agency is indeed fair,” Enrile Inton said.
The agency is currently hearing a fare reduction petition against the transport network companies—Uber, GrabCar and Uhop.
While Uber is directed to submit its immediate opposition, LTFRB is given 10 days to reply.
GrabCar was not able to attend the hearing.