Grab has a virtual monopoly on the market
With Uber officially deactivating its app today, at least two senators are slamming what they perceive as predatory pricing practices of the only remaining ride-sharing platform, Grab.
Senate public services committee chairperson Grace Poe has criticized Grab, saying that they have no right to charge consumers higher fees being the sole, surviving company after Uber sold its assets to the company.
“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,” Poe said in a statement.
“I am hopeful that through dialogue and open channels of communication, all the stakeholders can strike a balance that will not hurt the pocket of Grab’s riders but will not leave Grab’s drivers empty-handed either…. ‘Yung tamang presyo at serbisyo na masaya ang lahat,” she added.
Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called on government regulators like the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to probe the cost structure of ride-hailing services.
“Dito papasok ang close monitoring ng LTFRB and PCC sa anti-competitive practices. They should also establish benchmarks that are internationally accepted to detect potential abuses of a monopoly,” Gatchalian said.
“Dapat i-review ng LTFRB ang lahat ng fees at charges na pinapatong sa commuters. At huwag payagan mag-charge ng mas mataas pa kaysa sa ibang bansa. I-mandato din ng LTFRB ang Grab na i-breakdown ang resibo at maging mas transparent pa sa mga singil sa commuters,” Gatchalian added.
