PRESS RELEASE
12 November 2025

PCC underscores evolving approach to digital competition at Asia-Pacific dialogue

PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo (3rd from left) during the panel on digital regulation at the 11th Antitrust in Asia Conference on October 21, 2025 in Hong Kong (Photo courtesy of Concurrences).

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) contributed to the regional exchange on digital regulation during the 11th Antitrust in Asia Conference held in Hong Kong on October 21. Organized by Concurrences, the event convened competition authorities, policy experts, and private sector representatives to examine regulatory approaches across the Asia-Pacific region.

In a panel focused on digital regulation and awareness in the Asia-Pacific, PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo shared the Commission’s experience in responding to emerging competition issues in the digital economy. He noted that while the Philippines continues to refine its regulatory tools, the PCC has taken concrete steps to address risks associated with digital platforms, mergers, and market concentration, guided by its mandate to promote fair competition and protect consumer welfare.

Among the developments cited was the issuance of the 2023 Guidelines for the Motu Proprio Review of Mergers and Acquisitions in Digital Markets. These guidelines aim to provide legal certainty to stakeholders by identifying risk indicators, such as gatekeeping behavior, network effects, and data-centric operations that may warrant regulatory scrutiny. Aguinaldo also discussed the Commission’s review of a joint venture between Mitsui & Co. and KDDI Corporation, which involved cloud-native architecture and customer relationship and management services. The transaction was approved following a competition assessment that found no substantial lessening of competition, citing low entry barriers and contractual safeguards.

He likewise underscored PCC’s market study released in 2024 on digital platforms and online advertising to assess the adequacy of existing regulations amid rising global scrutiny of Big Tech. The study concluded that the Philippines would benefit from a dedicated regulatory framework tailored to digital platforms and recommended strengthening coordination with other jurisdictions to address cross-border competition concerns.

Aguinaldo also cited the PCC’s support for the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which lapsed into law in August 2025. The measure removes legislative franchise requirements for data transmission providers and promotes an open access model to improve internet access and affordability. Through this Act, the PCC is mandated to issue guidelines to promote fair competition in data transmission and may intervene in spectrum allocation to prevent market concentration.

“Much of the PCC’s interactions with digitalization have been in response to the rapid developments in this sector in recent years,” Aguinaldo said. “Through various means such as releasing guidelines, approving mergers, conducting market studies, and supporting progressive legislation, the PCC has been guided by the same principle that underscores our competition law: the welfare of consumers,” he added.

The event underscored the importance of context-sensitive regulation and regional cooperation in addressing the challenges of the digital economy.

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REFERENCE:  
publicaffairs@phcc.gov.ph  
Public Affairs and Research Division
Communications and Knowledge Management Office
Philippine Competition Commission