Raffy Tulfo warns Lalamove of contempt over repeated hearing absences

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Senator Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday warned delivery and logistics platform Lalamove that it could be cited for contempt after repeatedly failing to attend Senate hearings on road safety concerns.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services, which he chairs, Tulfo ordered the issuance of a show-cause order requiring the company to explain why it should not be cited for contempt.

The committee secretary said an invitation had been sent to Lalamove, but no representative attended the hearing. Tulfo said this was the third consecutive time the company had failed to appear before the panel.

“Send a show-cause order to them, why they should not be cited in contempt. Because this is the third time palaging nag-iisnub sa hearing itong mga taga-Lalamove. I don’t know kung anong meron sa utak nila bakit nila ini-isnub itong mga hearing three times in a row,” Tulfo said.

(Send them a show-cause order asking why they should not be cited for contempt. This is the third time that Lalamove has snubbed the hearings. I don’t know what’s going on in their minds—why they are snubbing these hearings three times in a row now.)

Lalamove is an on-demand delivery and logistics platform founded in Hong Kong in 2013. It entered the Philippine market in 2016 and connects individuals and businesses with drivers through its mobile application for the delivery of documents, parcels and larger cargo.

The company offers various vehicle options, including motorcycles, cars, vans and trucks, for deliveries of different sizes. It also provides logistics services to micro, small and medium enterprises and larger businesses.

Lalamove operates in the Philippines through Lalamove Philippines Inc. and Lalamove Technology Philippines Inc., according to its corporate entity listing.

Tulfo also warned that he would seek an arrest warrant against the company's owner if Lalamove continued to ignore a subpoena.

“Kapag hindi pa rin umattend sa subpoena natin, then magpalabas ka ng warrant of arrest. The owner, sa pinaka-may-ari mismo,” he said.

(If they still fail to attend after receiving our subpoena, then issue an arrest warrant—specifically for the company's owner.)

The hearing tackled concerns involving driver welfare, fair compensation and the security of items handled by Lalamove.

GMA News Online has reached out to Lalamove for comment and will update this story once it responds.— MCG, GMA News

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