Uber officially ends PHL operations

Uber Technologies Inc. on Monday officially stopped its Philippine operations, after the sale of its Southeast Asian business to its rival Grab Holdings Inc.

"The Uber app will not be available in the Philippines starting April 16, 2018 (Monday)," the transport network company (TNC) said in an email to its subscribers.

"You have the option to download the Grab app and register in order to book rides starting that date," it added.

This comes after Uber Technologies agreed to sell its Southeast Asian business to Grab, which would result in an operational merger in the Philippines.

Following the announcement, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) mandated Grab and Uber to continue operating independently while it conducts a competition review on the business acquisition.

Uber, however, earlier announced it would extend operations only until April 15, as it no longer has the financial capacity to sustain operations.

The PCC has since ordered both TNCs to explain by April 17 why Uber was shut down amid the ongoing review on the acquisition deal between the two companies.

For its part, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) last week, contrary to the orders of the PCC, ordered Uber to cease and desist operations in the country starting April 16. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KBK, GMA News