The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) successfully hosted the 2026 Manila Forum on Competition in Developing Countries, a significant two-day event held on February 2-3 in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. This forum marked a pivotal moment as it coincided with the PCC's 10th anniversary celebration, bringing together a diverse array of local and international experts to deliberate on critical issues facing competition enforcement in today's rapidly evolving economic landscape.
Strengthening Institutions for Digital Markets
In his opening remarks, PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo emphasized the urgent need for resilient institutions that can effectively adapt competition enforcement to the complexities of digital and data-driven markets. He highlighted the unique challenges faced by developing economies, where resource limitations and varying levels of institutional maturity exacerbate the difficulties posed by digital transformation. "Competition policy must align with broader development objectives while remaining credible and effective," Aguinaldo stated, underscoring that fair market competition should ultimately benefit the people who need it most.
Government and Legislative Perspectives
The forum featured insightful contributions from key government figures. Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, who served as the PCC's founding Chairperson, delivered a message stressing the government's crucial role in fortifying the foundations of digital transformation. He pointed to essential areas such as connectivity, energy infrastructure, and regulatory reforms, while also emphasizing the importance of building institutions capable of responding to emerging challenges like artificial intelligence.
Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, co-author and sponsor of the Philippine Competition Act (PCA), reaffirmed the enduring relevance of this legislation in protecting consumers and fostering a vibrant, competitive economy. His participation highlighted the legislative support for robust competition frameworks in the Philippines.
Expert Insights on Institutionalization
Dr. Benoît Durand, Partner at RBB Economics, delivered the keynote address, drawing on over two decades of experience in competition economics. He stressed that institutionalizing antitrust goes beyond merely enacting laws; it requires building durable institutions that safeguard consumers and businesses, embed competition policy into the state's legal and administrative fabric, and ensure continuous market monitoring. Without this comprehensive approach, enforcement risks becoming uneven and vulnerable to short-term priorities, ultimately weakening competition and economic growth.
Collaborative Discussions and Global Participation
Over the two days, economists, legal experts, competition authorities, and representatives from sector regulators engaged in thorough examinations of how competition policy can:
- Foster sustained innovation in developing economies
- Adapt legal frameworks to local contexts and needs
- Revisit the role of economics in enforcement strategies
- Build synergies with sectoral regulators for cohesive policy implementation
- Chart regional pathways for institutional resilience and cooperation
International speakers from prestigious organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore, Trade Competition Commission of Thailand, and the Competition Authority of Kenya joined Philippine leaders from government, academia, and industry. This global collaboration facilitated rich discussions on solutions to emerging challenges in both digital and traditional markets.
A Flagship Platform for Dialogue
The Manila Forum stands as a flagship platform of the PCC, designed to foster meaningful dialogue among competition authorities, regulators, industry experts, policymakers, and academic institutions. This year's edition underscored the Commission's steadfast commitment to advancing competition enforcement as a key driver of innovation, consumer welfare, and inclusive growth not only in the Philippines but across developing economies worldwide. The event reinforced the PCC's role in shaping policies that promote fair markets and economic development in an increasingly digital era.
