Balisacan seeks IRR of Philippine Competition Act

MANILA, Philippines - Newly-designated Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) chairman Arsenio M. Balisacan is working on the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10667, or the Philippine Competition Act, signed into law on July 21, 2015, effectively creating the PCC.

However, Balisacan was only officially appointed and sworn in this January. The other members of the commission had likewise been named, although they have not been sworn in as of presstime.

“We may have to hold our meetings in the coffee shops,” Balisacan told reporters during the ceremonial turnover of his post as director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

NEDA deputy director  general Emmanuel F. Esguerra is officer-in-charge (OIC), while awaiting the appointment documents naming him in an “acting” capacity.

He has been “allowed” to stay in his office at the NEDA main office in Pasig, until such time that he may transfer to the official PCC headquarters

Among the prospective areas is the PPP Center in EDSA, as well as the Makati or Taguig areas.

Meanwhile, Balisacan tagged as urgent the final draft of the IRR.

“We must finalize the IRR in the next few months, we need to determine the parameters of the council’s powers and responsibilities,” he said, adding, there are initial drafts to work on.

Aside from the four other commission members appointed by President Aquino, the PCC chairman is also looking for people to man the staff, which would likely be dominated by lawyers or individuals with legal background.

The commission is a quasi-judicial body tasked to enforce and implement the provisions of the Philippine Competition Act.

 It will ensure an efficient market competition in providing a level-playing field among businesses engaged in trade, industry, and all commercial economic activities.

The PCC aims to protect consumer welfare and advance both domestic, and international trade and economic development.

The commission has the mandate to conduct inquiries, investigate, and penalize all forms of anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions.
In the absence of an anti-trust legislation, the commission would in effect be promoting fair and healthy competition among firms thus ensuring that the benefits of growth are properly shared.