Ride-hailing apps under scrutiny as lawmakers push for lower cuts amid energy crunch

Ride-hailing companies such as Grab, Angkas, JoyRide and Move It are under mounting pressure from Philippine lawmakers to cut commissions taken from riders, as the country grapples with a fuel and energy crisis reshaping consumer behaviour and platform economics.

During a hearing at the House of Representatives, assistant majority leader Brian Poe questioned transport network vehicle service (TNVS) operators over discrepancies between their public commitments and actual commission rates being charged to riders.

“We didn’t mandate you to make these price cuts. You said on the floor under oath in your own initiative that you were making these price cuts para sa bayan (for the public good),” Poe told platform representatives.

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The scrutiny comes as the Philippines faces elevated fuel prices, placing added pressure on gig workers who rely on ride-hailing platforms for income. The government recently declared a national energy emergency, adding urgency to calls for relief measures.

Gap between promise and practice

According to Poe, platforms including JoyRide, Angkas and Move It had previously committed to cutting commissions by at least five percentage points. For four-wheel services, Grab had indicated a reduction to 18% from around 20-21%, while inDrive said it would maintain a 10% commission.

However, data presented at the hearing suggested that riders continue to face deductions of around 20% or higher across several platforms.

Operators argued that commission reductions are already in place – but not universally applied.

JoyRide said the company offers a lower 15% commission for riders completing at least 13 trips per day, framing the model as an incentive for consistent service. But Miro Quimbo, chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means, pushed for broader application, urging the company to extend the 15% rate across all riders.

Move It said it would like to reduce commissions, but highlighted rider welfare considerations, including insurance coverage, as part of the equation. Meanwhile, Angkas highlighted a performance-based model where riders completing up to 25 trips could effectively pay zero commission. 

Temporary relief versus structural change

Lawmakers, however, argued that such tiered systems exclude a significant portion of riders – particularly those using the platforms as a side income.

The call, Poe said, is for temporary relief during an extraordinary period of economic strain.

In response to the pressure, Angkas CEO George Royeca committed to lowering the base commission from 20% to 18% for all riders, while retaining its tiered incentive structure that can lower rates further. The company will also roll out additional support measures, including fuel and food vouchers, as well as discounts through gas station partners.

Poe said he would ensure transparency by sharing the platforms’ explanations with riders and the public, stressing the need to be fair to both sides.

He also instructed TNVS players to submit detailed breakdowns of their commission structures, incentives and rider benefits, adding that future hearings will extend to delivery platforms such as foodpanda and Lalamove amid similar worker concerns.

The House of Representatives has also pledged to pass the long-delayed Motorcycle Taxi Law in the 20th Congress, aiming to formalise and regulate MC taxis and TNVS as part of broader, long-term reforms to address income instability and legal uncertainty faced by riders amid rising fuel costs.

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