LTFRB, Uber meet in closed-door session

MANILA, Philippines — Representatives of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Uber met on Wednesday morning upon the invitation of Sen. Grace Poe following the suspension of the ride-sharing company.

Earlier this week, the LTFRB ordered the one-month suspension of Uber for "indisputable" violations.

Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, called for an urgent meeting with LTFRB officials at the Senate to resolve the issue.

LTFRB Chair Martin Delgra and Board Member Aileen Lizada were present in the closed-door meeting.

For Uber, Regional General Manager Mike Brown, Regional Regulatory Lead Ben Brooks, Uber Philippines General Manager Laurence Cua and Uber Philippines Government Relations and Public Policy head Yves Gonzales attended the meeting.

The senator said that the decision of LTFRB to suspend Uber is both "cruel and absurd."

"I am aghast that this agency that committed before the Senate to resolve the issues has just imposed a cure that will only make the disease much worse," Poe said in a statement released Monday.

Meanwhile, Malacañang affirmed the decision of the LTFRB to suspend the ride-sharing company despite criticisms from the public.

"However, regarding the Uber matter, we said we do empathize with the traveling public. It affects everyone including us at times," Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray

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