1 February 2023
PRESS RELEASE

PCC welcomes Aguinaldo as new PH competition authority head

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) welcomes legal expert, Atty. Michael G. Aguinaldo, to lead the antitrust authority under a new administration beginning this year until 2030.

Chairperson Aguinaldo has been appointed as PCC’s new Chairperson, replacing OIC Chairperson Johannes R. Bernabe, whose fixed term ended on January 6, 2023.

With an extensive legal, technical, and governance background, Chairperson Aguinaldo brings with him 26 years of experience in public service and corporate practice spanning different leadership roles.

Prior to his appointment in PCC, Chairperson Aguinaldo served as erstwhile Chair of the Commission of Audit (COA) from 2015 to 2022. Under his leadership, he steered the COA to be more open to citizen participation in audits, extensive transparency exercises, and institutional accountability programs. His role in COA also expanded as a recognized External Auditor of the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the International Labour Organization of the United Nations.

He also served as Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs at Office of the President, head of its then Investigation and Adjudication Office (formerly the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission), and lead implementer on the Philippines’ commitments to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

His public service record is also matched by an extensive experience in corporate law with top legal firms for 17 years.

Chairperson Aguinaldo obtained his law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1992 and Masters Degree with special concentration in International Economic Law from the University of Michigan in 1997. He placed 7th in the 1992 Philippine Bar Examinations and has since taught law at the Ateneo De Manila University, De La Salle University, and Far Eastern University.

The appointments of Chairperson Aguinaldo as well as newly-appointed Commissioner Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano form part of the new administration at the PCC with a seven-year term. They are joined by Commissioners Marah Victoria S. Querol and Michael B. Peloton who will hold office for five years or until 2028. A remaining post for a Commissioner is expected to complete the five-person en banc that will decide on different market competition cases.

The diverse expertise of the new officials, including in economic, legal, procurement, and corporate laws are seen to significantly contribute to the enforcement of competition cases involving cartels, abuses of dominance, sanctioned monopolies, and anti-competitive mergers.

The PCC is mandated to promote competition among businesses and enforce the broad powers of the Philippine Competition Act (PCA). Through fair competition, the PCC aims to foster business innovation, increase global competitiveness, and expand consumer choice to improve public welfare.

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Link: https://www.phcc.gov.ph/press-releases/pcc-newchair-mgaguinaldo/