The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) underscored its evolving approach to regulating the digital economy during the 11th Antitrust in Asia Conference held on October 21, 2025, in Hong Kong.
Organized by Concurrences, the event brought together competition authorities, policy experts, and private sector representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss current and emerging approaches to digital regulation.
During a panel on digital regulation and awareness in the Asia-Pacific, PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo shared the Commission’s experience in addressing competition issues arising from rapid digitalization. He noted that while the Philippines continues to refine its regulatory tools, the PCC has already taken concrete steps to address risks associated with digital platforms, mergers, and market concentration, all while upholding its mandate to promote fair competition and protect consumer welfare.
Aguinaldo cited the issuance of the 2023 Guidelines for the Motu Proprio Review of Mergers and Acquisitions in Digital Markets, which 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. He also discussed the Commission’s review of a joint venture between Mitsui & Co. and KDDI Corporation involving cloud-native architecture and customer relationship 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 also highlighted the PCC’s 2024 market study on digital platforms and online advertising, which examined the adequacy of existing regulations amid global scrutiny of Big Tech. The study recommended the establishment of a dedicated regulatory framework for digital platforms and stronger coordination with other jurisdictions to address cross-border competition concerns.
Aguinaldo likewise 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 accessibility and affordability. Under the new law, the PCC is mandated to issue guidelines promoting 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 emphasized the importance of context-sensitive regulation and regional cooperation in addressing the challenges and opportunities brought about by the digital economy.