Philippines: Arsenio Balisacan, the chairman of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), says that the commission has 90 days in which to conduct an investigation into the local cement industry. It is expected to complete its probe in the first half of 2017, according to the Manila Bulletin newspaper. The investigation period follows the point at which the PCC found reasonable grounds of alleged violations of competitive practice. Potential fines the local industry could face are US$2m for a first offence and US$5m for a second.
The PCC announced in early March 2017 that was preparing to investigate the cement sector for alleged violations of competitive practice following a legal statement by Victorio Dimagiba, the head of Laban Konsyumer – a consumer rights organisation, accusing the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP), LafargeHolcim Philippines and Republic Cement and Building Materials of engaging in anti-competitive agreements.