PCC Public Advisory

 

System Maintenance Advisory: MAO E-Notification System

Please be advised that the MAO E-Notification System will undergo scheduled maintenance to implement system enhancements from 01 April to 06 April 2026. During this period, the system will be temporarily unavailable.

The last day for electronic submissions through the MAO E-Notification System will be on 31 March 2026 (5:00 PM).

If there are submissions due during the scheduled maintenance period, all concerned parties are advised to ensure the early submission of the necessary documents prior to the maintenance dates.

The enhanced MAO E-Notification System will resume normal operations on Tuesday, 07 April 2026.

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Mergers and Acquisitions Office via email at mergers@phcc.gov.ph or by telephone at +632 8771 9722 local 252.

Please be guided accordingly.

 

 

 

Advisory: LMS Rebranding to PCC eCLASS

In line with its rebranding efforts, PCC's Learning Management System (LMS), previously known as iCLP: Online Learning Hub on Competition Law and Policy, will now be called PCC eCLASS: Enhanced Competition Learning Activities Spaces.

Correspondingly, the platform’s domain name will be changed from iclp.phcc.gov.ph to eclass.phcc.gov.ph.

Please be advised that the LMS will be temporarily unavailable from March 27, 2026 (5:00 PM) to March 31, 2026 (11:59 PM) to facilitate this transition.

Beginning April 1, 2026, users may access PCC’s online courses through the new domain.

 

 

 

PCC Advisory: Trunkline Service Interruption

 

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/ PCC clears Mitsubishi’s investment in Ayala’s GCash parent company

PRESS RELEASE
31 July 2025

PCC clears Mitsubishi’s investment in Ayala’s GCash parent company

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has cleared the proposed joint venture between Ayala Corporation (Ayala) and Mitsubishi Corporation (Mitsubishi), which shall be implemented through Mitsubishi’s acquisition of a 50% stake in Ayala’s AC Ventures Holding Corp. (AC Ventures). Post-transaction, AC Ventures will be jointly controlled by both parties.

On 3 July 2025, the Commission determined that Mitsubishi’s investment in AC Ventures would not significantly reduce competition in the relevant market for the provision of Quick Response (QR) code-based digital payments to merchants. AC Ventures is Ayala’s venture capital arm, which holds investments in Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (Mynt), the parent company of GCash operator G-Xchange Inc. and tech-based microlender Fuse Lending.

The Commission cited in its decision the small market share held by GCash in the provision of QR-based Person-to-Merchant payments, as well as the strong governmental push for interoperability in QR-based payments across the country.

While Mitsubishi indirectly owns convenience store chain Lawson Philippines, which accepts QR code-based payments from consumers, the Commission said it has limited presence that the transaction would not result in substantial lessening of competition. Person-to-merchant payments, through the use of QR codes, enables businesses to accept digital payments from consumers for goods and services that the business sells.

Ayala is a major Philippine conglomerate with diverse interests, including banking, real estate, and telecommunications. Mitsubishi is Japan's largest trading company, with global operations spanning energy, urban development, and various other industries. 

The Philippine Competition Act mandates the PCC to review mergers and acquisitions to ensure transactions do not lead to a substantial lessening of competition in relevant markets.

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REFERENCE:  
publicaffairs@phcc.gov.ph  
Public Affairs and Research Division
Communications and Knowledge Management Office
Philippine Competition Commission



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