Philippines: Uber exits Philippines despite antitrust review

Uber Technologies ended its ride-hailing service in the Philippines on Monday, April 16, despite the order by antitrust regulators to continue operations until a review is concluded.

The US-based company alerted clients Sunday night about the shutdown and directed them to download the app of rival Grab, which acquired Uber’s Southeast Asian businesses last month. Uber, in exchange, will own a 27.5% stake in Grab.

Uber chose to follow a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board directive asking the company to halt operations before April 16 because its license as a transportation network company has expired. The board has argued that the company now lacks the staffing to support its operations and ensure passenger safety.

Phillippine Competition Commission Commissioner Stella Quimbo said Uber has the burden of complying with both regulators, a scenario that likely will trigger discussions on the Commission’s relationship with other industry regulators.

The Commission has told both companies to explain by Tuesday why they could not comply fully with the interim measures. “If they don’t submit tomorrow, we will have to take further actions,” Quimbo told the Nikkei Asian Review, declining to be more specific.

Full Content: PhilStar

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