Toward a national competition policy for the Philippines / edited by Erlinda M. Medalla.

After more than three decades of protectionism, the Philippines is now shifting toward a more open economy through liberalization, deregulation, and privatization. The reforms that started in the mid-1980's have contributed to moving the economy toward a more market-friendly policy environment. In the process, however, new problems have emerged, the most pressing of which pertain to the anti-competitive behavior of some industry players who would rather avoid competion and exercise some control to gain market power. And while there is a proliferation of laws governing competition, there appears to be a lack of a consistent, comprehensive, and rational competion policy. The role of a national competition policy thus becomes both utilitarian and timely to ensure that the market works effectively and produces economic efficiency, and consumers get substantial and ongoing benefits.