No room for interpretation

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has levied a substantial P555.75-million fine on ride-hailing app Move It PH for exceeding government limits on motorcycle riders. Across Metro Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, Move It currently operates 73,321 active riders, surpassing its authorized limit of 17,746 under the Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Program.

The board imposed a P10,000 fine per rider for each of the 55,575 excess riders. Move It argued it used internal classifications for its rider-partners, including full-time, part-time, online, offline and varying daily hours. However, the LTFRB maintains the riders should be counted as the company onboarded them, not as its internal classifications suggest.

Move It submitted rider commission details and classification information to lawmakers in April, indicating riders working more than eight hours daily and those working less. The company's Metro Manila breakdown listed 147,214 active riders, while the LTFRB's authorized limit for the area was 14,662. The discrepancies may result from differing reporting periods and classifications.

The rider totals also include inactive, suspended and riders with no bookings. The LTFRB rejected Move It's claim that only riders delivering transportation services counted towards its limit. However, regulators should consider that riders relying on the platform for their livelihoods should not bear the burden of corporate decisions beyond their control.

The National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines, National Public Transport Coalition, Digital Pinoys and several motorcycle taxi and commuter groups have called for accountability from the company while protecting ordinary riders and commuters.