The DICT encouraged IBP staff and lawyers in the Philippines to use digital signatures
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Wednesday encouraged key staff of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and lawyers in the Philippines to use digital signatures as they practice law online.
In a press statement, the Department of Information and Communications Technology offered the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) services to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in which it allows its users to apply and install digital certificates online.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology also said that using digital signatures would ensure the integrity of legal documents, ease the electronic signing of pleadings, and protect lawyers during the conduct of general law practice online.
Citing its recent user-feedback survey, the Department of Information and Communications Technology said that a total of 1,251 users from public and private sectors were already using DICT’s Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure, adding that the department previously offered digital certificates to prosecutors and officers of the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice in order to support its online inquest proceedings.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology also said that the department was also discussing with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines the viable means to ensure fast and reliable internet connection in Philippine courts in order to improve the feasibility of online hearings.
Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines — the organization of all Philippine lawyers — had encouraged the Supreme Court (SC) to make online trial court hearings “general rule”.
As per the report, the Supreme Court had already allowed 1,500 courts in the country to conduct hearings via video conference.
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