Industry group urges DoJ to tear down monopolies

The Federation of Philippine Industries is challenging the Department of Justice (DoJ), having been recently appointed to head the country’s competition authority, to tear down monopolies in various business sectors and promote a truly level playing field.

In a statement issued Tuesday, FPI chairman Jesus Arranza said “prosecuting monopolies and combinations that restrain trade will necessarily promote competition, level the playing field in the market, and ultimately inure to the benefit of the consumers.”

He said FPI was “ready and willing” to support the competition authority in its tasks should the DoJ seek help from the business sector.

In an earlier interview, Justice Assistant Secretary Geronimo Sy said the fight to level the playing field would not rest on the shoulders of the DoJ alone, but would also involve other relevant government agencies.

While the Office for Competition would be composed of DoJ personnel, Sy said representatives from agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Telecommunications Commission would also be involved.

“We’ll work with other sectoral representatives. This will be a collaborative effort within the government,” Sy said.

President Aquino last June 9 signed Executive Order 45, which directed the establishment of the Office for Competition under the DoJ. This would have functions similar to agencies in other countries that had anti-trust laws.

Versions of the anti-trust bill are now pending in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.