QuestionsQuestions (PROCLAMATION NO. 384)
It declares 5 December of every year as National Competition Day in the Philippines and directs the DOJ-Office for Competition to plan and implement activities for its observance.
Sections 13 and 19, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, which relate to the State’s pursuit of a trade policy for general welfare, the use of exchange arrangements based on equality and reciprocity, and regulation/prohibition of monopolies when public interest requires.
Executive Order (EO) No. 45 (s. 2011) designated the Department of Justice (DOJ) as the Competition Authority and created the Office for Competition within the DOJ; it is tasked to plan and implement appropriate activities for National Competition Day.
A presidential proclamation—Proclamation No. 384.
The DOJ-Office for Competition.
It highlights the benefits of competitive markets, the harmful effects of anti-competitive practices, and the Philippines’ participation in global cooperation/observance alongside the global competition network.
It links competition to the constitutional mandate that the State pursue a trade policy for general welfare and regulate/prohibit monopolies when needed in the public interest.
It mentions the harmful effects of anti-competitive practices to citizens.
It aligns with a “World Competition Day,” observed on 5 December of every year.
It states that, from its foreign counterparts, particularly the ASEAN region, the Office for Competition observed benefits of competitive markets and harms of anti-competitive practices.
It was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, and Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. was the Executive Secretary who countersigned.
The DOJ-Office for Competition must plan and implement appropriate activities and/or ceremonies for the observance of National Competition Day.
Because the theme is competition/anti-monopoly policy; Section 19 requires regulation or prohibition of monopolies when public interest so requires, which is consistent with promoting competition.