After months of speculation and brickbats thrown its way, Uber has applied for proper operator status in the Philippines.
Uber applied with the country's government for TNC (transportation network company) accreditation, a necessary step for app-based ride providers such as Uber to operate.
In May, the Philippines became the first country to roll out a nationwide ride-hailing framework. Ride operators have till Aug. 21 to get approval or drivers could be arrested. Uber has just five days to avoid that penalty.
"The accreditation process itself is quite complex," an Uber spokesperson told Mashable. "It is something that we worked on closely with the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) and LTFRB through the entire process. So there was no delay in submitting the application."
But Uber's application on Monday doesn't mean the company has been approved yet. In a text message sent to a Rappler reporter on Aug. 11, the LTFRB chairman griped about Uber not applying.
Grabcar got its TNC status approved one month ago.
Uber recently ran into trouble in Hong Kong, where the local police raided its office and arrested several employees.