PBA party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles wants the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to sanction Grab Philippines with a P15-billion fine for overcharging its three-million riders.
In a statement, Nograles said that”Grab made a direct admission of three million offenses and under the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, each offense merits a fine of P5,000. Therefore, Grab should be liable for P15 billion worth of fines.”
“If Grab will not be charged as such, then it can be argued that Grab is being favored, tantamount to Graft. The jeepney driver, tricycle, taxi they pay the P5,000 fine but Grab won’t?” he asked.
He reacted to the Philippine Competition Commission ordering Grab to pay a P23.45-million fine for excessive charges from February to May.
Should the government collect P15 billion from Grab, the money could be used to cover expenses for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
“The fines and penalties meted to Grab is due to their unilateral imposition of unauthorized fares on the rider. There should also be regulation on Grab’s capability of unilaterally dismissing, controlling, and collecting charges from drivers,” Nograles said.
“This has been the second time that PCC has fined Grab for overcharging. On the other hand, the last time that the LTFRB imposed fines on Grab was last year and we have yet to hear anything if the TNVS company has actually paid a single centavo. Does this mean PCC is more efficient in exercising its mandate than the LTFRB?”