DOTr claims Grab, Uber accreditation papers lost by previous admin

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Sunday said that it was the previous administration that lost the accreditation papers of Transport Network Companies (TNCs) Grab and Uber.

"The documents mentioned by [Board Member] Aileen Lizada were the 'accreditation papers of TNCs' that were lost by the previous administration of LTFRB, NOT by the current," it said in a statement sent to reporters via text message.

"There was no proper turnover of documents including the accreditation papers of the TNCs," it added.

To recall, Lizada on Friday said that both TNCs' accreditation papers were found to be missing after a search conducted by the current administration of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"Ever since we assumed office last year, we tried to locate the accreditation folders of both Uber and Grab. However, after searching the office of the [Executive Director] and the officer of the Chairman, they are nowhere to be found," Lizada said last week.

In its statement on Sunday, the DOTr said it searched "diligently" for the papers, but their efforts have been futile.

"The current administration of LTFRB, in fact, diligently exerted all efforts to locate the missing documents ever since they assumed office. Uber and Grab also have copies of such documents that LTFRB can request for, in case there is a necessity," it said.

Copies available

For his part, former LTFRB Board Member Ariel E. Inton said the new administration should have asked for copies from them, and that there were several copies of the accreditation available.

"Why did they not ask [former LTFRB OIC Executive Director] attorney [Robert D.] Peig during that time, kung nawala 'yon? Number two, I don't think na nawala lahat ng kopya nun kasi there are several copies of the accreditation application," he said.

According to Inton, several copies of the accreditation documents could be sourced from the accreditation committee of the previous administration.

"There was an accreditation committee headed by [former LTFRB Executive Director] Bobit Cabrera during that time, so each of the member of the committee I would say has copies. Ako, may kopya, because I always photocopy the important documents," he said.

"So in other words, assuming nawala 'yung isang kopya, there are several other copies," he added.

The LTFRB has clarified that the loss of the accreditation papers will have no effect on the pending renewal of the accreditation of both TNCs.

Grab Philippines' accreditation expired on July 3, while Uber's will expire in August. — BM, GMA News