Uber temporarily suspends its operations

Transport Network Company (TNC) Uber System Inc. on Tuesday temporarily suspended its operations in compliance with the one-month suspension imposed by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

In a statement, Uber said that the order is effective 6 a.m. on Tuesday, August 15.

"We are deeply committed to serving our riders and driver-partners, and are doing everything we can to resolve this situation at the soonest possible time," Uber said.

We are temporarily suspending operations starting at 6AM today. Rest assured that we are doing everything we can to resolve the situation. pic.twitter.com/Zh3OsQRpw8

— Uber Philippines (@Uber_PH) August 14, 2017

The LTFRB on Monday night suspended the accreditation of Uber for a month, ordering it to "cease and desist its operation on their online booking application during the period of suspension."

This came in after Uber continued to accept and activate additional accreditation of Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS).

"Upon the conduct of investigation by the board... it was found that respondent willfully and contumaciously violates the said directive contained in the order dated 26 July 2017, specifically, by continuing to accept additional accreditation of TNVS and/or activation of accounts," the board said in a show cause order dated August 1.

The board also "strongly recommended" Uber to extend financial assistance to its affected peer-operators during the period of suspension.

Uber, meanwhile, said that they will ask the board for a "reconsideration and have the order lifted or the one-month suspension shortened."

"We are deeply committed to serving our riders and driver partners, and are doing everything we can to resolve this situation at the soonest possible time," it added.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, on Monday said the suspension order "further exacerbates the problem of having an utter lack of safe, reliable, and convenient transportation options for our peoples."

"The issue is not about roadworthiness but one that involves a mere administrative violation, which should have merited a corresponding administrative penalty," she said in a statement.

"The penalty should not further prejudice the public and place the riders' wellbeing at risk by limiting their options," she added.

Poe said she will call LTFRB officials to an urgent meeting at the Senate on Wednesday morning. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News