The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has signaled a more adaptive regulatory stance toward the region’s fast-evolving digital economy, highlighting new tools and cross-border cooperation during the 11th Antitrust in Asia Conference in Hong Kong.
The event, organised by Concurrences, brought together policymakers, experts and industry representatives from across the Asia-Pacific to examine emerging approaches to digital-market oversight.
Speaking on a panel on digital regulation, PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said the rapid expansion of digital platforms and data-driven business models requires competition authorities to continually refine their frameworks. He pointed to the PCC’s 2023 Guidelines for the Motu Proprio Review of Mergers and Acquisitions in Digital Markets, which identify risks such as gatekeeping behavior, network effects and data-centric operations. These indicators help regulators determine when digital transactions warrant deeper scrutiny.
Aguinaldo cited the PCC’s review of the Mitsui & Co – KDDI joint venture covering cloud-native architecture and customer-relationship management services as an example of the Commission’s measured approach. The deal was cleared after regulators found no substantial lessening of competition due to low entry barriers and contractual safeguards.
The PCC chair also referenced the agency’s 2024 market study on digital platforms and online advertising – which concluded that the Philippines would benefit from a specialised regulatory framework given rising global scrutiny of Big Tech.
Strengthened regional coordination, he said, will be essential in managing cross-border competition issues.
Aguinaldo further highlighted the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which became law in August 2025 and removes franchise requirements for data transmission providers. Under the law, the PCC will issue guidelines to ensure fair competition and may intervene in spectrum allocation.
“Our guiding principle remains consumer welfare,” Aguinaldo said.
