Competition Law and Policy in the Philippines: A Role in Sustained and Inclusive Economic Growth

Edited book (chapter)


Burgess, Rachel. 2019. "Competition Law and Policy in the Philippines: A Role in Sustained and Inclusive Economic Growth." Deinla, Imelda and Dressel, Bjoern (ed.) From Aquino II to Duterte (2010–2018): Change, Continuity—and Rupture. Singapore. ISEAS Publishing. pp. 186-204
Chapter Title

Competition Law and Policy in the Philippines:
A Role in Sustained and Inclusive Economic Growth

Book Chapter CategoryEdited book (chapter)
ERA Publisher ID2245
Book TitleFrom Aquino II to Duterte (2010–2018): Change, Continuity—and Rupture
Authors
AuthorBurgess, Rachel
EditorsDeinla, Imelda and Dressel, Bjoern
Page Range186-204
Chapter Number6
Number of Pages19
Year2019
PublisherISEAS Publishing
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
Place of PublicationSingapore
ISBN9789814843287
9789814843294
Abstract

The Philippines has experienced one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growth rates. Between 2010 and 2015, the Philippines experienced an average GDP growth rate of more than 6 per cent, its highest since the 1970s. The GDP growth in 2017 was 6.69 per cent, more than Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, and only marginally behind China and Vietnam. The hope is that the Philippines can sustain this growth rate for the foreseeable future in a way that is inclusive.

The introduction of competition law and policy into the Philippines is believed to be a necessary step towards achieving sustained and inclusive growth. In September 2016, the Chairman of the then newly established Philippines Competition Commission (PCC), Arsenio Balisacan, called the Competition Act a “game-changer for the economy” and “one of the key components of the overall strategy to make economic growth more enduring and more inclusive”.

Whether competition law does in fact contribute to enduring and inclusive growth will depend on a number of outcomes being achieved. The law must be applied in a way that benefits the nation’s poor as this is the only way it will achieve inclusive growth. The key to this will be levelling the playing fields so entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) can prosper on a national and international scale. The country is dominated by oligarchs and oligopolies, which prevent—or, at the very least, deter—new entrants. The Filipino business and wider communities must understand and accept the benefits of competition law and policy to enable a “culture of compliance”. This will, in turn, lead to sustained growth as Filipino businesses are able to operate in a truly globally competitive way and enable the Philippines to continue to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Existing government policies which—perhaps inadvertently—impede competition need to be addressed. The actual and perceived success of the regulator, the PCC—in enforcing competition law provisions—will underpin all these outcomes.

KeywordsCompetition Law; Philippines; MSMEs
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020489999. Other law and legal studies not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsSchool of Law and Justice
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5qy3/competition-law-and-policy-in-the-philippines-a-role-in-sustained-and-inclusive-economic-growth

  • 266
    total views
  • 10
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Trade Associations: Competition Law Advocates or Offenders?
Burgess, Rachel. 2016. "Trade Associations: Competition Law Advocates or Offenders?" Schaper, Michael T. and Lee, Cassey (ed.) Competition Law, Regulation and SMEs in the Asia-Pacific: Understanding the Small Business Perspective. Singapore. ISEAS Publishing. pp. 192-208
Promoting Convergence in ASEAN Competition Laws and Practice
Maximiano, Ruben Lapa, Burgess, Rachel and Meester, Wouter. 2019. "Promoting Convergence in ASEAN Competition Laws and Practice." Burnier da Silveira, Paulo and Kovacic, William Evan (ed.) Global Competition Enforcement: New Players, New Challenges. Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands. Kluwer Law International. pp. 233-262
The globalization of competition law: yes or no?
Cejnar, Leela and Burgess, Rachel. 2015. "The globalization of competition law: yes or no?" Duns, John, Duke, Arlen and Sweeney, Brendan (ed.) Comparative competition law. Cheltenham, United Kingdom. Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 9-24
Challenging the need for a 'Global' Competition Law
Cejnar, Leela and Burgess, Rachel. 2014. "Challenging the need for a 'Global' Competition Law." ECLR: European Competition Law Review. 35 (9), pp. 461-467.
Following from afar: Malaysia’s competition law looks to Europe
Burgess, Rachel and Cejnar, Leela. 2014. "Following from afar: Malaysia’s competition law looks to Europe." ECLR: European Competition Law Review. 35 (7), pp. 333-340.
Competition laws in ASEAN: opportunities and obligations for SMEs
Dorai Raj, Shila and Burgess, Rachel. 2016. "Competition laws in ASEAN: opportunities and obligations for SMEs." Australian Journal of Competition and Consumer Law. 24 (3), pp. 258-265.
The Philippine Competition Act and the small business sector framework for development
Grecia-de Vera, Gwen and Burgess, Rachel. 2018. "The Philippine Competition Act and the small business sector framework for development." Philippine Law Journal. 91, pp. 566-602.
Smes and Malaysia's New Competition Law: Experiences to Date
Dorai Raj, Shila and Burgess, Rachel. 2016. "Smes and Malaysia's New Competition Law: Experiences to Date." Schaper, Michael T. and Lee, Cassey (ed.) Competition Law, Regulation and SMEs in the Asia-Pacific: Understanding the Small Business Perspective. Singapore. ISEAS Publishing. pp. 292-308
SMEs and private enforcement of competition law: achieving redress
Burgess, Rachel. 2016. "SMEs and private enforcement of competition law: achieving redress." Global Competition Litigation Review.