PCC, Australia’s competition authority ink MOU to boost cooperation

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has tied up with the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) as part of initiatives to step up competition law enforcement.

PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Canberra, Australia.

The agreement aims to facilitate the exchange of information and sharing of experiences as well as best practices on competition law and policy.

It will also promote technical assistance and capacity-building activities between the PCC and ACCC.

In addition, the MOU covers the coordination and cooperation on cases of mutual interest, subject to confidentiality and legal requirements.

“The MOU will further solidify the strong bilateral ties between the Philippines and Australia and will enable the PCC to contribute to the effective enforcement of their respective competition laws,” Aguinaldo said.

Aguinaldo said the ACCC has been providing support to the PCC since its establishment in 2016.

The ACCC has extended assistance to the PCC in the finalization of the rules and regulations of the Philippine Competition Act (PCA), secondments of officials and staff under the Competition Law Implementation Program and conduct of regular capacity building activities.

For her part, Cass-Gottlieb said the MOU is expected to lead to closer and more productive collaboration between the two agencies.

“ACCC is proud to be a partner of PCC in advancing the common goals of consumer welfare and economic development,” she said.

The PCC, which serves as the Philippines’ primary competition authority, is mandated to enforce the PCA.

Meanwhile, the ACCC is Australia’s independent statutory authority that administers the Competition and Consumer Act of 2010.