Philippine Competition Act Explained

Short Title:Philippine Competition Act
Long Title:An Act Providing for a National Competition Policy Prohibiting Anti-Competitive Agreements, Abuse of Dominant Position and Anti-Competitive Mergers and Acquisitions, Establishing the Philippine Competition Commission and Appropriating Funds Therefor
Citation:Republic Act 10667
Territorial Extent:Philippines
Legislature:Congress of the Philippines
Enacted By:House of Representatives
Enacted By2:Senate
Date Signed:July 21, 2015
Signed By:Benigno Aquino III
Status:in force

The Philippine Competition Act, officially designated as Republic Act No. 10667, is a Philippine law that was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III on July 21, 2015, and established the quasi-judicial Philippine Competition Commission to enforce the act.[1] [2] [3] [4] The act is intended to ensure efficient and fair market competition among businesses engaged in trade, industry, and all commercial economic activities.[3] It prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuses of dominant positions, and mergers and acquisitions that limit, prevent, and restrict competition.[5]

History

A comprehensive competition law was first proposed in the late 1980s during the administration of President Cory Aquino.

The Philippines was the only country in ASEAN without a competition law and the integration of ASEAN into a single market was an impetus to pass the act.

Philippine Competition Commission

The Philippine Competition Commission is an independent, quasi-judicial body created to enforce the act. It is attached to the Office of the President of the Philippines.[6] Five commissioners were appointed to the Philippine Competition Commission and sworn in on January 27, 2015:[7]

Arsenio Balisacan resigned from his post as Philippine Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority to lead the Philippine Competition Commission.[3] Guevarra left the Commission after he was appointed Senior Deputy Executive Secretary. He was replaced by lawyer Amabelle Asuncion.

In February 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Michael Aguinaldo as the new Chairperson of the PCC, replacing former Chairperson Arsenio Balisacan.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Viray. Patricia Lourdes. NEDA chief to head new Philippine Competition Commission. January 28, 2016. The Philippine Star. January 25, 2016.
  2. News: Venzon. Cliff. Aquino appoints new antitrust enforcer. January 28, 2016. Nikkei Asian Review. Nikkei Inc.. January 26, 2016.
  3. News: NEDA statement on Balisacan move to Competition Commission. January 28, 2016. BusinessWorld. BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation. January 25, 2016.
  4. Web site: Republic Act No. 10667 - Philippine Competition Act. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. January 28, 2016. July 21, 2015.
  5. News: Schnabel. Chris. What consumers need to know about the PH Competition Act. June 14, 2016. Rappler. July 13, 2015.
  6. News: Bacani. Louis. PNoy OKs landmark Philippine Competition Act, Cabotage Law amendments. June 14, 2016. The Philippine Star. July 21, 2015.
  7. News: Sabillo. Kristine Angeli. Balisacan takes oath as competition commission head. January 28, 2016. Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 27, 2016.