Metro Manila, Philippines – A ride-hailing company has suspended its driver for making inappropriate remarks about actress Xyriel Manabat.
In a statement on Thursday, April 9, Grab Philippines said it placed the driver under preventive suspension for his behavior that “constitutes a grave violation” and “a bannable offense” under their guidelines.
This stemmed from a viral online post of the driver sexualizing Manabat after her trip.
“Grab Philippines extends its sincere apology to Ms. Xyriel Manabat for the unacceptable experience she had with a driver. What was reported is deeply concerning and does not reflect the standards we uphold on the platform,” the company said.
The ride-hailing firm noted that it is conducting a comprehensive review of its driver behavior training, vowing to place safeguards to govern post-trip conduct.
It said while there is a mandatory safe spaces and anti-harassment training for their drivers, the incident “demands more than a restatement of existing protocols.”
“Every person who uses Grab has the right to feel safe. We will continue to hold ourselves and our driver-partners to that standard, without exception,” the company said.
In a press interview posted by ABS-CBN, Manabat’s home network, vowed to take action against the driver.
Grab said its team is in direct contract with the actress.
