Poe to include safety of ride-sharing app drivers in draft law

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe on Tuesday vowed to include a provision that would ensure the safety of Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers in her committee’s draft law following the killing of Grab driver-partner Gerardo “Junjie” Maquidato Jr.

Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public service, made the promise as she condemned the killing of Maquidato.

“As my committee drafts the law on app-based riding services, we shall take into account and include provisions that will not just ensure the safety of the riders, but the drivers as well,” Poe said in a release.

“It is lamentable that in the past months, the TNVS community has become the target of lawless elements, victimizing its driver-partners. They need protection, as well,” she added.

READ: What we know so far: Killing of model Grab driver Junjie Maquidato Jr.

The senator also urged the concerned authorities to arrest the perpetrators on the carnap and killing of Maquidato.

“Swift justice is the least we could give to Junjie, who is known to be a good samaritan among his colleagues and passengers for his generous deeds,” Poe said.

“This atrocious incident should not happen again to anybody, who only wants to make an honest living by offering safe and comfortable ride to Filipinos,” she added.

Poe called on ride-sharing company Grab Philippines to cooperate with the police in sharing relevant details that could track down the killers at large and the retrieval of Maquidato’s Toyota Innova.

Grab also earlier condemned the death of Maquidato and offered P100,000 bounty to hasten the arrest of his killers.

Maquidato was killed last October 26 in Pasay City by still unidentified suspects, who booked and rode as regular passengers before shooting him and fleeing in his vehicle. 

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