The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) signed a data-sharing agreement (DSA) on Monday to strengthen transparency, integrity and fair competition in the corporate sector.

The agreement was signed by PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and SEC Chairperson Francisco Lim, and will give the PCC faster access to corporate information held by the SEC that is relevant to investigations into mergers, acquisitions and anti-competitive conduct under the Philippine Competition Act, the PCC said.

“This agreement represents a shared commitment to safeguard competition and protect investors,” Aguinaldo said. “By working closely with the SEC, we can ensure that markets remain transparent, competitive, and beneficial to consumers and businesses alike.”

Under the DSA, the SEC will provide requested corporate data to the PCC within three working days. In turn, the PCC committed to use the information strictly for its lawful mandate and to notify the SEC of authorized personnel or data processors handling the shared data.

The agreement also sets out procedures for data breach management, data retention, and secure disposal of personal data, ensuring accountability and protection of data subjects’ rights, the PCC said.

Valid for five years, the pact builds on a 2016 memorandum of agreement between the two agencies and establishes clear protocols for on-site, online and off-site access to SEC records. It also includes safeguards for data privacy and security in line with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, requiring both agencies to enforce strict confidentiality measures and designate data protection officers.

The PCC said SEC Director Oliver Chato and PCC Executive Director Kenneth Tanate have been appointed to oversee the implementation and monitoring of the agreement.