Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday clarified that it has already collected the ₱10-million fine of Grab that was imposed in 2018.
“The claim that Grab has not yet paid the ₱10-million fine has no iota of truth and is absolutely preposterous,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said in a statement. “We already collected the fine, and we have a copy of the receipt to prove it.”
He did not say when the fine was collected.
Five years ago, the transport agency imposed a ₱10-million fine on the ride-hailing application for allegedly overcharging its passengers.
The Philippine Star, meanwhile, released an opinion piece on Wednesday claiming that the LTFRB has not yet collected the fine. The writer also accused the agency of “coddling” the country’s leading ride-hailing firm.
“Clearly, the Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board is coddling Grab. LTFRB officials are liable for corruption,” the opinion piece read.
The article also criticized how the transport agency seems to be lenient with Singapore-registered Grab yet strict with local taxi drivers.
The LTFRB has denied the allegations.
“Throughout the years, the agency has remained strict in imposing public land transportation laws and other policies and regulations and does not favor anyone,” Guadiz responded.
Last May 15, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) also ordered Grab to pay a ₱9-million fine for its failure to reimburse a combined ₱25.45 million to its customers.
It was on top of the ₱63.7 million in penalties earlier imposed by the antitrust body for Grab’s violating PCC orders following its acquisition of lone rival Uber back in 2018.
