PCC agrees to extend Grab PH driver incentive program’s regulatory review

Grab Philippines and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) on Tuesday signed a new accord extending the regulatory review of the company's driver incentive program following its acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asia business in 2018.

In a news release, Grab Philippines said the “2025 Undertaking” was signed as the PCC has yet to complete its review of quarterly reports covering driver incentives despite the ending of Grab’s voluntary commitments in November 2023.

Under the accord, both parties agreed to extend the review period for one year to allow the PCC to conclude its assessment.

“Grab has always been committed to complying with government regulations as part of our responsibility to commuters and to the Philippine transport sector,” said Grab chief corporate affairs officer Sherielysse Bonifacio.

“We believe that working closely with the government helps strengthen the industry and allows us to better serve our kababayan who rely on our platform every day,” she added. 

Under the 2025 undertaking—the third in a series of agreements between Grab and the PCC—the commission will review GrabCar driver incentives covering the 15th monitoring quarter (May to July 2023) and 16th monitoring quarter (August to October 2023). 

It will also mandate the appointment of a third-party monitoring trustee to assess Grab’s compliance with incentives monitoring under its non-exclusivity commitments 

The agreement likewise provides remedies in case of breaches, including the option for Grab to remedy violations and to pay fines, if necessary.

To recall, Grab merged with Uber in Southeast Asia in March 2018, acquiring the latter’s ride-hailing and food delivery operations across the region in exchange for Uber obtaining a 27.5% stake in Grab. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA Integrated News