In the Philippines, electronic signatures have been expressly recognized for more than two decades. Electronic documents and electronic signatures are recognized in the Philippines by the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (E-Commerce Act), which clearly specifies that an "electronic signature on an electronic document shall be equivalent to the signature of a person on a written document".
This law emphasizes the crucial role of information and communications technology in nation building, and it aims to use electronic technology to facilitate domestic and international dealings, transactions, and contracts, to recognize the authenticity and reliability of electronic messages or electronic documents related to such activities, and to promote the use of electronic transactions in government and by the general public.
In 2001, the Supreme Court issued the Rules on Electronic Evidence (REE), which expressly provides that an electronic signature is admissible in evidence as the functional equivalent of a person's signature on a written document if authenticated in the manner provided in the REE, in recognition of the E-Commerce Act's objectives and pursuant to its power to promulgate rules concerning pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts.
Hence, the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, or Republic Act No. 8792, is the country's main electronic commerce legislation. The E-Commerce Act was created to make electronic contracting legally enforceable and to resolve legal questions concerning whether electronic contracting was legal. Electronic signatures are recognized as the legal equivalent of handwritten signatures, and electronic documents are recognized as the legal equivalent of paper documents.
This law emphasizes the crucial role of information and communications technology in nation building, and it aims to use electronic technology to facilitate domestic and international dealings, transactions, and contracts, to recognize the authenticity and reliability of electronic messages or electronic documents related to such activities, and to promote the use of electronic transactions in government and by the general public.
In 2001, the Supreme Court issued the Rules on Electronic Evidence (REE), which expressly provides that an electronic signature is admissible in evidence as the functional equivalent of a person's signature on a written document if authenticated in the manner provided in the REE, in recognition of the E-Commerce Act's objectives and pursuant to its power to promulgate rules concerning pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts.
Hence, the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, or Republic Act No. 8792, is the country's main electronic commerce legislation. The E-Commerce Act was created to make electronic contracting legally enforceable and to resolve legal questions concerning whether electronic contracting was legal. Electronic signatures are recognized as the legal equivalent of handwritten signatures, and electronic documents are recognized as the legal equivalent of paper documents.