A.M.
No. 01-7-01-SC
RULES
ON ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE
Acting
on the Memorandum dated 18 June 2001 of the Committee on the Revision of the
Rules of Court to Draft the Rules on E-Commerce Law [R.A. No. 8792] submitting
the Rules on Electronic Evidence for this Court's consideration and approval,
the Court Resolved to APPROVED the same.
The
Rules on Electronic Evidence shall apply to cases pending after their
effectivity. These Rules shall take effect on the first day of August 2001
following thier publication before the 20th of July in two newspapers of
general circulation in the Philippines
RULES
ON ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE
Rule
1
COVERAGE
COVERAGE
Section
1. Scope. – Unless otherwise
provided herein, these Rules shall apply whenever an electronic document or
electronic data message, as defined in Rule 2 hereof, is offered or used in
evidence.
Section
2. Cases covered. – These Rules
shall apply to all civil actions and proceedings, as well as quasi-judicial and
administrative cases.
Section
3. Application of other rules on
evidence. – In all matters not specifically covered by these Rules, the
Rules of Court and pertinent provisions of statutes containing rules on
evidence shall apply.
Rule
2
DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONSTRUCTION
DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONSTRUCTION
Section
1. Definition of terms. – For
purposes of these Rules, the following terms are defined, as follows:
(a)
"Asymmetric or public cryptosystem" means a system capable of
generating a secure key pair, consisting of a private key for creating a
digital signature, and a public key for verifying the digital signature.
(b)
"Business records" include records of any business, institution,
association, profession, occupation, and calling of every kind, whether or not
conducted for profit, or for legitimate or illegitimate purposes.
(c)
"Certificate" means an electronic document issued to support a
digital signature which purports to confirm the identity or other significant
characteristics of the person who holds a particular key pair.
(d)
"Computer" refers to any single or interconnected device or
apparatus, which, by electronic, electro-mechanical or magnetic impulse, or by
other means with the same function, can receive, record, transmit, store,
process, correlate, analyze, project, retrieve and/or produce information,
data, text, graphics, figures, voice, video, symbols or other modes of
expression or perform any one or more of these functions.
(e)
"Digital signature" refers to an electronic signature consisting of a
transformation of an electronic document or an electronic data message using an
asymmetric or public cryptosystem such that a person having the initial
untransformed electronic document and the signer's public key can accurately
determine:
i. whether the transformation was created using the private
key that corresponds to the signer's public key; and
ii. whether the initial electronic document had been altered
after the transformation was made.
(f)
"Digitally signed" refers to an electronic document or electronic
data message bearing a digital signature verified by the public key listed in a
certificate.
(g)
"Electronic data message" refers to information generated, sent,
received or stored by electronic, optical or similar means.
(h)
"Electronic document" refers to information or the representation of
information, data, figures, symbols or other modes of written expression,
described or however represented, by which a right is established or an
obligation extinguished, or by which a fact may be proved and affirmed, which
is received, recorded, transmitted, stored, processed, retrieved or produced
electronically. It includes digitally signed documents and any print-out or
output, readable by sight or other means, which accurately reflects the
electronic data message or electronic document. For purposes of these Rules,
the term "electronic document" may be used interchangeably with
"electronic data message".
(i)
"Electronic key" refers to a secret code which secures and defends
sensitive information that crosses over public channels into a form
decipherable only with a matching electronic key.
(j)
"Electronic signature" refers to any distinctive mark, characteristic
and/or sound in electronic form, representing the identity of a person and
attached to or logically associated with the electronic data message or
electronic document or any methodology or procedure employed or adopted by a
person and executed or adopted by such person with the intention of
authenticating, signing or approving an electronic data message or electronic
document. For purposes of these Rules, an electronic signature includes digital
signatures.
(k)
"Ephemeral electronic communication" refers to telephone
conversations, text messages, chatroom sessions, streaming audio, streaming
video, and other electronic forms of communication the evidence of which is not
recorded or retained.
(l)
"Information and communication system" refers to a system for
generating, sending, receiving, storing or otherwise processing electronic data
messages or electronic documents and includes the computer system or other
similar devices by or in which data are recorded or stored and any procedure
related to the recording or storage of electronic data messages or electronic
documents.
(m)
"Key pair" in an asymmetric cryptosystem refers to the private key
and its mathematically related public key such that the latter can verify the
digital signature that the former creates.
(n)
"Private key" refers to the key of a key pair used to create a
digital signature.
(o)
"Public key" refers to the key of a key pair used to verify a digital
signature.
Section
2. Construction. – These Rules
shall be liberally construed to assist the parties in obtaining a just,
expeditious, and inexpensive determination of cases.
The
interpretation of these Rules shall also take into consideration the
international origin of Republic Act No. 8792, otherwise known as the
Electronic Commerce Act.
Rule
3
ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
Section
1. Electronic documents as
functional equivalent of paper-based documents. – Whenever a rule of
evidence refers to the term writing, document, record, instrument, memorandum
or any other form of writing, such term shall be deemed to include an
electronic document as defined in these Rules.
Section
2. Admissibility. – An
electronic document is admissible in evidence if it complies with the rules on
admissibility prescribed by the Rules of Court and related laws and is
authenticated in the manner prescribed by these Rules.
Section
3. Privileged communication. –
The confidential character of a privileged communication is not lost solely on
the ground that it is in the form of an electronic document.
Rule
4
BEST EVIDENCE RULE
BEST EVIDENCE RULE
Section
1. Original of an electronic
document. – An electronic document shall be regarded as the equivalent of
an original document under the Best Evidence Rule if it is a printout or output
readable by sight or other means, shown to reflect the data accurately.
Section
2. Copies as equivalent of the
originals. – When a document is in two or more copies executed at or about
the same time with identical contents, or is a counterpart produced by the same
impression as the original, or from the same matrix, or by mechanical or
electronic re-recording, or by chemical reproduction, or by other equivalent
techniques which accurately reproduces the original, such copies or duplicates
shall be regarded as the equivalent of the original.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, copies or duplicates shall not be admissible to the same extent
as the original if:
(a)
a genuine question is raised as to the authenticity of the original; or
(b)
in the circumstances it would be unjust or inequitable to admit the copy in
lieu of the original.
Rule
5
AUTHENTICATION OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
AUTHENTICATION OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
Section
1. Burden of proving authenticity.
– The person seeking to introduce an electronic document in any legal
proceeding has the burden of proving its authenticity in the manner provided in
this Rule.
Section
2. Manner of authentication. –
Before any private electronic document offered as authentic is received in
evidence, its authenticity must be proved by any of the following means:
(a)
by evidence that it had been digitally signed by the person purported to have
signed the same;
(b)
by evidence that other appropriate security procedures or devices as may be
authorized by the Supreme Court or by law for authentication of electronic
documents were applied to the document; or
(c)
by other evidence showing its integrity and reliability to the satisfaction of
the judge.
Section
3. Proof of electronically notarized
document. – A document electronically notarized in accordance with the rules
promulgated by the Supreme Court shall be considered as a public document and
proved as a notarial document under the Rules of Court.
Rule
6
ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
Section
1. Electronic signature. – An
electronic signature or a digital signature authenticated in the manner
prescribed hereunder is admissible in evidence as the functional equivalent of
the signature of a person on a written document.
Section
2. Authentication of electronic
signatures. – An electronic signature may be authenticated in any of the
following manner:
(a)
By evidence that a method or process was utilized to establish a digital
signature and verify the same;
(b)
By any other means provided by law; or
(c)
By any other means satisfactory to the judge as establishing the genuineness of
the electronic signature.
Section
3. Disputable presumptions relating
to electronic signatures. – Upon the authentication of an electronic
signature, it shall be presumed that:
(a)
The electronic signature is that of the person to whom it correlates;
(b)
The electronic signature was affixed by that person with the intention of
authenticating or approving the electronic document to which it is related or
to indicate such person's consent to the transaction embodied therein; and
(c)
The methods or processes utilized to affix or verify the electronic signature
operated without error or fault.
Section
4. Disputable presumptions relating
to digital signatures. – Upon the authentication of a digital signature, it
shall be presumed, in addition to those mentioned in the immediately preceding
section, that:
(a)
The information contained in a certificate is correct;
(b)
The digital signature was created during the operational period of a
certificate;
(c)
No cause exists to render a certificate invalid or revocable;
(d)
The message associated with a digital signature has not been altered from the
time it was signed; and,
(e)
A certificate had been issued by the certification authority indicated therein.
Rule
7
EVIDENTIARY WEIGHT OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
EVIDENTIARY WEIGHT OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
Section
1. Factors for assessing
evidentiary weight. – In assessing the evidentiary weight of an electronic
document, the following factors may be considered:
(a)
The reliability of the manner or method in which it was generated, stored or
communicated, including but not limited to input and output procedures,
controls, tests and checks for accuracy and reliability of the electronic data
message or document, in the light of all the circumstances as well as any
relevant agreement;
(b)
The reliability of the manner in which its originator was identified;
(c)
The integrity of the information and communication system in which it is
recorded or stored, including but not limited to the hardware and computer
programs or software used as well as programming errors;
(d)
The familiarity of the witness or the person who made the entry with the
communication and information system;
(e)
The nature and quality of the information which went into the communication and
information system upon which the electronic data message or electronic
document was based; or
(f)
Other factors which the court may consider as affecting the accuracy or
integrity of the electronic document or electronic data message.
Section
2. Integrity of an information and
communication system. – In any dispute involving the integrity of the
information and communication system in which an electronic document or electronic
data message is recorded or stored, the court may consider, among others, the
following factors:
(a)
Whether the information and communication system or other similar device was
operated in a manner that did not affect the integrity of the electronic
document, and there are no other reasonable grounds to doubt the integrity of
the information and communication system;
(b)
Whether the electronic document was recorded or stored by a party to the
proceedings with interest adverse to that of the party using it; or
(c)
Whether the electronic document was recorded or stored in the usual and
ordinary course of business by a person who is not a party to the proceedings
and who did not act under the control of the party using it.
Rule
8
BUSINESS RECORDS AS EXCEPTION TO THE HEARSAY RULE
BUSINESS RECORDS AS EXCEPTION TO THE HEARSAY RULE
Section
1. Inapplicability of the hearsay
rule. – A memorandum, report, record or data compilation of acts, events,
conditions, opinions, or diagnoses, made by electronic, optical or other
similar means at or near the time of or from transmission or supply of
information by a person with knowledge thereof, and kept in the regular course
or conduct of a business activity, and such was the regular practice to make
the memorandum, report, record, or data compilation by electronic, optical or
similar means, all of which are shown by the testimony of the custodian or
other qualified witnesses, is excepted from the rule on hearsay evidence.
Section
2. Overcoming the presumption.
– The presumption provided for in Section 1 of this Rule may be overcome by
evidence of the untrustworthiness of the source of information or the method or
circumstances of the preparation, transmission or storage thereof.
Rule
9
METHOD OF PROOF
METHOD OF PROOF
Section
1. Affidavit evidence. – All
matters relating to the admissibility and evidentiary weight of an electronic
document may be established by an affidavit stating facts of direct personal
knowledge of the affiant or based on authentic records. The affidavit must
affirmatively show the competence of the affiant to testify on the matters
contained therein.
Section
2. Cross-examination of deponent.
– The affiant shall be made to affirm the contents of the affidavit in open
court and may be cross-examined as a matter of right by the adverse party.
Rule
10
EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
Section
1. Electronic testimony. –
After summarily hearing the parties pursuant to Rule 9 of these Rules, the
court may authorize the presentation of testimonial evidence by electronic
means. Before so authorizing, the court shall determine the necessity for such
presentation and prescribe terms and conditions as may be necessary under the
circumstances, including the protection of the rights of the parties and
witnesses concerned.
Section
2. Transcript of electronic
testimony. – When examination of a witness is done electronically, the
entire proceedings, including the questions and answers, shall be transcribed
by a stenographer, stenotypist or other recorder authorized for the purpose,
who shall certify as correct the transcript done by him. The transcript should
reflect the fact that the proceedings, either in whole or in part, had been
electronically recorded.
Section
3. Storage of electronic evidence.
– The electronic evidence and recording thereof as well as the stenographic
notes shall form part of the record of the case. Such transcript and recording
shall be deemed prima facie evidence of such proceedings.
Rule
11
AUDIO, PHOTOGRAPHIC, VIDEO, AND EPHEMERAL EVIDENCE
AUDIO, PHOTOGRAPHIC, VIDEO, AND EPHEMERAL EVIDENCE
Section
1. Audio, video and similar
evidence. – Audio, photographic and video evidence of events, acts or
transactions shall be admissible provided it shall be shown, presented or
displayed to the court and shall be identified, explained or authenticated by
the person who made the recording or by some other person competent to testify
on the accuracy thereof.
Section
2. Ephemeral electronic
communications. – Ephemeral electronic communications shall be proven by
the testimony of a person who was a party to the same or has personal knowledge
thereof. In the absence or unavailability of such witnesses, other competent
evidence may be admitted.
A
recording of the telephone conversation or ephemeral electronic communication
shall be covered by the immediately preceding section.
If
the foregoing communications are recorded or embodied in an electronic
document, then the provisions of Rule 5 shall apply.
Rule
12
EFFECTIVITY
EFFECTIVITY
Section
1. Applicability to pending cases.
– These Rules shall apply to cases pending after their effectivity.
Section
2. Effectivity. – These Rules
shall take effect on the first day of August 2001 following their publication
before the 20th of July 2001 in two newspapers of general circulation in the
Philippines.
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