The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said Thursday it approved a settlement proposal from an association of water refilling station operators following an investigation into coordinated pricing, the antitrust body announced on Thursday.
The commission found that the association, composed of independently owned stations in a local market, had coordinated prices for certain water products and communicated those rates publicly. The regulator said these actions raised concerns under Section 14(a)(1) of the Philippine Competition Act, which prohibits competitors from entering into agreements to fix prices.
Under the terms of the settlement for Case No. 2025-002-SP, the association and its members reaffirmed they have ceased the coordinated pricing and committed to making independent business decisions. The agreement allows the case to be resolved before the issuance of a final decision under the commission’s rules of procedure.
“This settlement demonstrates the Commission’s vigilance in addressing price-fixing agreements that harm consumers and distort markets,” PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said.
He said that by securing commitments to end anti-competitive conduct, the regulator aims to restore fair competition and ensure consumers benefit from competitive pricing and quality service.
The settlement includes several compliance measures for the members, such as participating in competition law education and supporting advocacy initiatives to promote consumer awareness. The commission has instructed its enforcement office to monitor the association’s adherence to the agreement.
The regulator reiterated that price-fixing remains a prohibited practice under national law. While the commission often imposes fines for such violations, which can reach millions of P pesos depending on the severity and market impact, this specific settlement focuses on restoring market transparency and behavioral compliance.
