The sectoral approach taken by the country in the regulation of business is taking a new turn with the strengthening of regulators. Recognizing the need to level the playing  field and to impose fines on non-complying enterprises to the needs of economic justice specially to protect micro, small and medium enterprises, the Department of Justice
- Office for Competition (OFC) is conducting a workshop on administrative remedies for regulators.

"The DOJ is fully committed to taking a pro-active approach to promote competition and watch out for the interest of consumers," said Secretary De Lima. "This workshop is timely and relevant to address the needs of regulators as enforcement agencies," she said.

International experts from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of U.S. Department of Justice will be sharing their experiences in the application of administrative, civil and criminal remedies that are available in competition laws.

Other topics in the workshop include regulatory and policy changes that can promote competition, the leniency program, and evaluating arguments that agreements and mergers produce efficiencies.  A copy of the program is available at the DOJ website.

The OFC was created by Executive Order No. 45 Designating the DOJ as the Competition Authority in  2011. Its mandate is to investigate all cases involving violations of competition laws and prosecute violators, enforce competition policies and laws to protect consumers from abusive, fraudulent, or harmful corrupt business  practices and supervise competition in markets, among others.

The workshop will take place on 11-13 March 2013 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati.