All posts by Pol Pinoy

Business, Government, Social Media, Travel

LTFRB Accredits 2nd Ride-Hailing Company

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91F93946-9D4E-48E6-95DC-0BC012B4D302.jpegMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Filipino commuters have been complaining that since Uber bowed out of the ride-hailing business in the Philippines, leaving Grab to be the monopoly, they have experienced difficulties in booking rides, while having to deal with rude drivers, exhorbitant surcharge fees and other problems.

But thanks to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Grab now has some serious competition.  LTRFB  just accredited a second firm, a move that it expects will improve services in the ride-hailing business.

The new firm, owned by a group of Chinese Filipinos, is called Grabé.

The business name seems to ridicule the Grab monopoly which has received a lot of flak for its business practices and customer service.  We have heard customers complain, saying “Grabe ang service, grabe ang presyo, at grabe ang waiting time para makapag-book!” (The service, price and waiting time to book are ridiculous!)

So, for commuters who like to use the ride-hailing serivce, be rest assured that you will have better experience with not just one, but two companies accredited to try their best to earn your business.

 

Government, Human Interest

Senator Drilon, Juana Change Guests Of Honor At Inauguration Of Quezon City’s Footbridge To Heaven

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A5A9F87D-3448-4F6F-988F-B80C89D02463QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Quezon City Bureau) – The controversial footbridge along EDSA in Kamuning, Quezon City, is set to be inaugurated sometime this December.

The bridge, which some netizens are calling “skyway to heaven,” is a project of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and is widely criticized for its unusual height.  MMDA has acknowledged that the footbridge is too steep for seniors and persons with disabilities but that it was meant to deter pedestrians from illegally crossing EDSA.3858FE52-9C5E-427B-BC88-7DE0D08039B9

The Adobo Chronicles has learned that Senator Franklin Drilon and celebrity activist Juana Change, a.k.a. Mae Paner will be the special guests of honor during the inaugural program.  The duo will cut the ceremonial ribbon at the foot of one end of the bridge then climb up and down the bridge to the other end.  They will repeat the process and cross over back to where they started.

The program is scheduled for 12 Noon.

MMDA says it is expecting a huge crowd eager to witness Drilon and Paner demonstrate the health benefits of the footbridge.

Government, Immigration, International, Media, Politics

Teddy Boy Locsin Asks His Canadian Foreign Affairs Counterpart: Please Grant Maria Ressa Asylum

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teddy Boy Locsin has appealed to his Canadian counterpart, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland   to take in Maria Ressa and grant her political asylum in Canada.

Locsin was encouraged by a tweet posted recently by Freeland expressing concern about the security and safety of the Rappler CEO.

Ressa faces tax evasion charges but has making the rounds of international news media outlets claiming that she was being harassed and intimidated by the Duterte government simply because she was a journalist.

For his part, Locsin promised that if Canada granted Ressa asylum, he will bat for the Canadian trash shipped to Manila years ago to stay in the Philippines, no more questions asked.