They’ve been Grabbed...it’s all Uber

I couldn’t resist borrowing these words from Topgear’s list of reactions on the Grab-Uber deal.

Another reader asked me, “So, what’s it called now...’Grabber?’”

Pinoys will always find humor in things.

But I’m sure of one thing – the Philippine Competition Commission, the government’s anti-trust body, isn’t amused at all especially because its fellow regulator, the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), is turning out to be a thorn on its side.

Just when we’re actually starting to feel the relevance of the PCC – by trying to make sure that Grab’s acquisition of Uber will not result in a monopoly – here’s the LTFRB making PCC’s efforts futile.

The anti-trust watchdog has said that it wants to be certain that Uber’s exit from the ride-hailing market would not result in a monopoly for Grab.

LTFRB insists this is unlikely as it is already processing the applications of other ride-sharing applications that want to enter the country. It also said that its main consideration is the riding public.

But in the meantime that the applications are still being processed, will Grab have a monopoly of the market?

Grab said it would extend the Uber app until April 15.

“Considering that Uber has exited the region on March 25, and clearly stated during the public hearing its incapacity to fund the operations in the Philippines, the parties have agreed to keep the Uber app operational with Grab bearing the costs, to give drivers and consumers time to adjust to Uber’s departure. In the spirit of cooperating with the PCC, Grab has also agreed to continue to bear the costs of the Uber app extension (from March 25 to April 8) until April 15. Our understanding from the PCC is that this interim arrangement, which was fully explained to the PCC, is not a breach of its order,” Grab said.

How this will end is still anybody’s guess.

Between Uber and Grab, I can attest that prices of Uber are really cheaper. Passengers will have to shell out more with Uber gone. Uber’s services are better, too which is why I patronize Uber more than Grab.

But I swear by the efficiency of Grab Express, the company’s delivery service.

Meanwhile, as the regulators debate on the matter, I wonder what will happen to Uber drivers who will not be absorbed by Grab. And how about the banks that extended auto loans to these drivers?

We’ll just have to wait and see.

Gatchalian raises concerns on Coa-Malampaya impasse

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Committee on Energy, has raised concerns on the Commission on Audit’s (COA) tax issue concerning the Malampaya gas-to-power project in offshore Palawan.

“Basically, that issue has created a lot of uncertainty in the oil and gas sector. Moving forward, I’ve talked to some of the exploration companies and they’re looking at this issue very carefully because it affects, first of all, the credibility of our country when it enters into contracts like this, especially mega contracts such as Malampaya. That’s why a lot of the major oil and gas companies are quite hesitant because oil and gas is a long-term business and it’s very difficult and unwise to change the provisions of the contract midway because it will affect their business plans and a lot of their operations,” Gatchalian said during a recent committee hearing.

He said that right now there’s no stability in the oil and gas sector because of this issue.

The case stemmed from COA’s issuance of an order to the Department of Energy to collect around P151 billion from the Malampaya consortium for the period 2002 to end-June 2015. 

COA said in a tax interpretation that corporate income tax should not form part of the government’s share in the Malampaya project.

The DOE has appealed the matter, saying COA must honor the sanctity of contracts of the Malampaya gas project due to its impact on the business climate in the country.

COA has yet to fully resolve the issue. Gatchalian, indeed, has reasons to worry.

A Vietnamese kitchen

I’ve made a wonderful discovery recently along Katipunan Avenue near White Plains while shopping for some plants in the area.

There is a string of restaurants there that always looked inviting to me. I’ve always wanted to try, but never had the chance.

There’s K&L and Earth Kitchen, but I was craving for Banh Mi so I decided to try Bawai’s Vietnamese Kitchen.

I met the owner, a semi-retired lawyer, Herminio Liwanag, who shared with me that the restaurant is a family business.

He said that they really see to it that even after almost four years, they maintain the beauty of the place and more importantly check on the quality of the food and keep the flavors that make it authentic. His wife designed the place.

Bawai’s is quiet and charming, with lots of plants outside. The food is good, too.

Family-run restos are always cozy with a personal touch. Bawai’s is no exception. There are many others such as Bellini’s in Cubao. I hope these kinds of food business continue to thrive.

As for me, I had a good gastronomic experience. And yes, I got my Banh Mi.

Iris Gonzales’ e-mail address is [email protected]