Plea of nolo contendere (no contest)

A plea of nolo contendere (no contest) is allowed under Section 36 of the Philippine Competition Act. An entity charged in a criminal proceeding pursuant to Section 14 (a) and 14 (b) of R.A. No. 10667 may enter a plea of nolo contendere, in which he does not accept nor deny responsibility for the charges but agrees to accept punishment as if he had pleaded guilty. The plea cannot be used against the defendant entity to prove liability in a civil suit arising from the criminal action nor in another cause of action. The plea of nolo contendere may be entered only up to arraignment and subsequently, only with the permission of the court which shall accept it only after weighing its effect on the parties, the public and the administration of justice.