PCC probes five enterprises in Visayas

CEBU, Philippines —  The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is now investigating at least five enterprises in the Visayas region for potential violations of the competition methods outlined in the Philippine Competition Act of 2015, also known as the Republic Act number 10667.

PCC chairman Michael Aguinaldo made this announcement following the opening of the PCC’s i-station in Cebu City, a satellite office of the commission that will cover complaints for Western, Eastern, and Central Visayas regions.

"We aim at fostering a more conducive business environment not only here in Cebu City, not only in Cebu Province but across the Visayas region," Aguinaldo in a press conference said.

According to Aguinaldo companies being probed belonged to the transport, internet, banking, manufacturing, and tourism sectors. If found violating, the five companies could be charged with fines to be computed based on the provisions under Republic Act 10667.

PCC executive director Kenneth Tanate revealed that these companies are located not just in Cebu but some are based in other parts of the Visayas, adding that these cases are still in preliminary investigation which is why they cannot yet divulge the names of these companies.

The transportation company, currently undergoing thorough scrutiny may be implicated in potential price-fixing violations, as indicated by preliminary complaints.

Meanwhile, in the manufacturing sector, the company being probed has allegedly abused its dominant position in the market.

Another firm involved in the Internet sector was being accused of monopolizing a residential building.

In the banking sector, a company is being probed by the PCC for alleged illegal mergers and acquisitions.

In the tourism sector, the PCC is investigating a company involved in price fixing of its services.

With the opening of the PCC i-station in Cebu located at the 2Quad building within Cebu Business Park, PCC officials are confident that people will have a deeper understanding of the 2015 law and the functions of the PCC.

"The importance of the i-stations cannot be underestimated that it is through these regional hubs that we can ensure the benefits of competition are reaped by our countrymen in the rural areas especially," said Aguinaldo, expecting that the i-station would also result inthe lodging of more complaints for investigation in the Visayas region.

PCC is an independent quasi-judicial body mandated to implement the National Competition Policy and enforce RA 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act (PCA).

PCC shall prohibit anti-competitive agreements, abuses, of dominant positions, and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions.

The law protects confidential business information submitted to the Commission. The identity of the persons who provide information to the Commission under the condition of anonymity, as a rule, would likewise remain confidential.