Philippine antitrust watchdog rolls out compliance toolkit
Photo from Philippine Competition Commission/WEBSITE
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) on Saturday said it has launched a practical compliance toolkit designed to help businesses align themselves with the country’s competition laws.
The government’s antitrust body unveiled the Competition Compliance Program (CCP) toolkit at the Fair Business Forum on May 30 in Pasig City as part of broader efforts to promote a culture of competition compliance across industries.
PCC chair Michael Aguinaldo said the toolkit offered more than just theoretical guidance.
“The Competition Compliance Program Toolkit is more than just a guide; it is a strategic resource that helps businesses uphold integrity, mitigate anti-competitive risks, and contribute to a level playing field,” Aguinaldo said in his statement during the launch ceremony.
“By making compliance practical and accessible, we are enabling businesses to grow responsibly and sustainably,” he added.
The PCC said the toolkit was part of their ongoing advocacy to strengthen voluntary compliance with the Philippine Competition Act, the country’s primary law against cartels, abuse of dominance and anti-competitive mergers.
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Consultative process
Backed by feedback from industry leaders, the PCC said the CCP Toolkit had been developed using data from key informant interviews and focus group discussions held nationwide.
It added that the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, also played a role in shaping the document.
The PCC partnered with the PCCI to advance awareness on competition law and policy among its members.
Organized into three main sections, the CCP Toolkit begins by explaining the fundamentals of competition and why compliance matters.
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It then outlines a step-by-step guide for companies to build their own internal compliance programs.
The final section offers a sample template that firms, especially small and medium enterprises, can adapt.
A glossary of competition-related terms, dubbed the “competitionary,” is also included for quick reference.
The initiative comes at a time when regulatory bodies across Southeast Asia are stepping up efforts to ensure that their markets remain open, competitive and fair.
The PCC has made the CCP Toolkit freely available for download on its website, aiming to equip more businesses with the tools needed to operate within the bounds of fair competition.
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