PRESS RELEASE
6 October 2025
PCC highlights regional cooperation at 11th ASEAN competition conference
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) took part in the 11th ASEAN Competition Conference (ACC) held on September 24-25 in Singapore. Organized by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) under the theme “A New Era for Competition Policy in ASEAN,” the event gathered nearly 200 representatives from regional competition authorities and industry leaders.
The two-day conference served as a platform to explore how competition policy and enforcement can strengthen a resilient and inclusive regional economy, while ensuring that the benefits of globalization and regional integration are equitably shared across ASEAN member states.
PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo contributed to discussions on regulatory developments in ASEAN, particularly in the context of evolving competition policies and their impact on business practices. His participation in the panel on “Active Trends in ASEAN Regulatory Landscape” highlighted the importance of staying responsive to regional policy shifts and fostering cooperation among competition authorities to support a fair and competitive business environment.
PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo (2nd from right) shares insights on evolving competition policies and their impact on business practices during the 11th ASEAN Competition Conference on September 24–25, 2025 in Singapore (Photo courtesy of Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore).
PCC Commissioner Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano delivered insights on the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition (AFAC), its core principles of transparency, fairness, and respect for sovereignty, and its practical tools for coordination, information sharing, and capacity building. She also highlighted the negotiation process led by the PCC and emphasized that while the agreement is a milestone, it marks the beginning of deeper regional harmonization. Medrano further noted that implementing AFAC will rely on the ASEAN Competition Action Plan until 2030 and the need to build trust among member states before moving toward greater convergence.
PCC Commissioner Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano (center) discusses the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition, emphasizing its core principles and the path toward deeper regional cooperation during the 11th ASEAN Competition Conference on September 24-25, 2025 in Singapore (Photo courtesy of Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore).
PCC’s engagement in the ACC reflects its continuing commitment to advancing regional cooperation and ensuring that Philippine competition policy remains aligned with ASEAN priorities. By actively contributing to discussions on cross-border enforcement and policy convergence, the PCC reinforces its role in shaping a fair, competitive, and integrated ASEAN market for the benefit of businesses and consumers alike.
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REFERENCE:
publicaffairs@phcc.gov.ph
Public Affairs and Research Division
Communications and Knowledge Management Office
Philippine Competition Commission
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