Philippines: Government on path to tackle power, telco markets

The Philippines Department of Justice’s Office for Competition is set to focus on the energy and telecommunications industries to ensure proper competition and crack down on possible cartel behavior, reports say.

The OFC has reportedly chosen the industries as the ones where it is most “likely to achieve the greatest impact” to encourage consumer protection policy. In a statement, OFC head and Justice Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy confirmed the new priorities to reporters. He added that the inquiries were launched following allegations of collusion and anticompetitive price-hikes by power companies, and possible breaches of competition law by Internet service providers.

The OFC will also examine the transport sector, reports say, and has launched a study to investigate certain vehicle bans.

The Justice Department is reportedly taking on these sectors as the Philippines awaits to enact an overhauled, comprehensive competition policy. Sy said the OFC will examine the industries because players in these markets have failed to comply with sectoral regulators corresponding with each industry.

The Philippines has taken its competition policy to task in recent months as the nation looks to strengthen its antitrust laws, part of a broader agenda for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to implement a comprehensive economy plan that integrates all of its members.

Full content: Business Inquirer

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