In a world rapidly transitioning to digital-first systems, the Philippines stands at a crucial juncture where embracing electronic signatures can significantly accelerate national digital transformation. Despite the early passage of Republic Act No. 8792 or the E-Commerce Act of 2000, which granted legal recognition to electronic documents and signatures, a significant portion of government and private sector transactions remain reliant on wet-ink signatures. Twala’s white paper explores this gap between policy and practice, identifying lingering questions around legality, authenticity, and cost as the primary barriers. The paper makes a compelling case for trusted, verifiable electronic signatures to unlock more secure, efficient, and inclusive systems of governance and business.
At the heart of this paper is Twala’s intelligent document platform—built with digital signature technology and blockchain integration—that ensures tamper-proof, legally admissible digital transactions. The white paper explains how Twala combines traditional Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and distributed ledger technology (DLT) to offer layered protection against document tampering. Twala also introduces its proprietary “Hashproof” system that anchors signed documents onto blockchain networks, providing immutable proof of integrity while meeting the stringent requirements of Philippine laws, such as the Supreme Court’s Rules on Electronic Evidence and the Electronic Commerce Act.
Significantly, the Supreme Court's recent approval of the Rules on Electronic Notarization (A.M. No. 24-10-14-SC), effective March 24, 2025, marks a transformative shift in the legal landscape. These rules introduce Electronic Notaries Public (ENPs) authorized to perform notarial acts through In-Person Electronic Notarization (IEN) and Remote Electronic Notarization (REN), utilizing Supreme Court-accredited Electronic Notarization Facilities (ENFs). This development enhances accessibility, particularly for individuals in remote areas or Filipinos abroad, and aligns with global best practices in digital legal services. The eBook delves into how Twala's platform is poised to integrate seamlessly with these new regulations, offering compliant and secure digital notarization solutions.