Blab Business
Philippines Supreme Court Accredits Twala as First Electronic Notarization Facility
In a landmark move that could reshape how legal documents are authenticated across the archipelago, the Philippine Supreme Court has granted Twala, a local legal‑technology startup, accreditation as an Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF). The decision authorizes Twala to offer nationwide electronic notarization services under the Court’s 2025 Rules on Electronic Notarization, the first time the new framework will be put into practice.
Electronic notarization—allowing qualified documents to be notarized digitally—has been a possibility in Philippine law since the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000. The 2025 Rules, issued in February, formalize the practice by permitting both in‑person and remote electronic notarization and setting standards for electronic notaries and ENFs. The rules, designated A.M. No. 24‑10‑14‑SC, allow notarization of electronic documents in PDF or PDF/A format.
Twala’s platform is engineered to meet the Court’s stringent criteria. It integrates digital signatures, robust identity verification, and AI‑powered document lifecycle management. The system rests on a blockchain‑anchored public key infrastructure (PKI), creating tamper‑evident, cryptographically verifiable transactions. Designed for high‑trust use cases, the platform serves government agencies, legal firms, enterprises, and financial institutions.
The accreditation follows a series of strategic collaborations that have expanded Twala’s reach. The firm has partnered with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to provide over 50,000 lawyers nationwide with electronic signatures, notarization, and related digital legal services. Twala also hosted a webinar with the Land Registration Authority (LRA) that drew more than 800 participants from real‑estate, finance, government, legal, and business sectors.
“This accreditation represents an important milestone not only for Twala, but for the broader digital transformation of legal services in the Philippines,” said Jeffrey Reyes, co‑founder and CEO of Twala. “We are honored by the Supreme Court’s accreditation and remain committed to building secure, compliant, and accessible digital trust infrastructure.”
The Supreme Court’s approval of the 2025 Rules was announced in March 2025, with the Court describing the reform as a significant step toward leveraging technology to make notarial services more accessible and efficient nationwide.
By enabling electronic notarization, the Court is reducing the need for in‑person appearances in eligible transactions, a change that promises greater accessibility, speed, and security for parties across the country. The move dovetails with the Philippine government’s broader agenda to modernize public services, building on the legal foundation laid by the Electronic Commerce Act and subsequent regulations.
Industry observers note that Twala’s blockchain‑based PKI and AI features satisfy the Court’s security and verification requirements. The platform’s tamper‑evident records are particularly valuable for high‑trust transactions in real‑estate and finance.
The accreditation is expected to accelerate the adoption of electronic notarization nationwide. Lawyers, businesses, and individuals who previously relied on paper‑based notarization can now use Twala’s secure, legally compliant platform to complete notarizations online.
As the Philippines moves toward a more digital legal ecosystem, the Supreme Court’s endorsement of Twala signals a broader commitment to modernizing legal processes. The next phase will involve monitoring the implementation of the 2025 Rules and ensuring that electronic notaries and ENFs maintain compliance with the Court’s standards.
The accreditation also sets a precedent for other legal‑tech firms seeking to become certified ENFs. The Supreme Court’s framework provides a clear path for companies to develop secure, compliant digital notarization services that meet the country’s legal requirements.
In sum, the Supreme Court’s accreditation of Twala as an Electronic Notarization Facility marks a milestone in the Philippines’ transition to legally recognized digital transactions. The move is expected to streamline notarization processes, enhance security, and broaden access to legal services nationwide.
Electronic notarization—allowing qualified documents to be notarized digitally—has been a possibility in Philippine law since the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000. The 2025 Rules, issued in February, formalize the practice by permitting both in‑person and remote electronic notarization and setting standards for electronic notaries and ENFs. The rules, designated A.M. No. 24‑10‑14‑SC, allow notarization of electronic documents in PDF or PDF/A format.
Twala’s platform is engineered to meet the Court’s stringent criteria. It integrates digital signatures, robust identity verification, and AI‑powered document lifecycle management. The system rests on a blockchain‑anchored public key infrastructure (PKI), creating tamper‑evident, cryptographically verifiable transactions. Designed for high‑trust use cases, the platform serves government agencies, legal firms, enterprises, and financial institutions.
The accreditation follows a series of strategic collaborations that have expanded Twala’s reach. The firm has partnered with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to provide over 50,000 lawyers nationwide with electronic signatures, notarization, and related digital legal services. Twala also hosted a webinar with the Land Registration Authority (LRA) that drew more than 800 participants from real‑estate, finance, government, legal, and business sectors.
“This accreditation represents an important milestone not only for Twala, but for the broader digital transformation of legal services in the Philippines,” said Jeffrey Reyes, co‑founder and CEO of Twala. “We are honored by the Supreme Court’s accreditation and remain committed to building secure, compliant, and accessible digital trust infrastructure.”
The Supreme Court’s approval of the 2025 Rules was announced in March 2025, with the Court describing the reform as a significant step toward leveraging technology to make notarial services more accessible and efficient nationwide.
By enabling electronic notarization, the Court is reducing the need for in‑person appearances in eligible transactions, a change that promises greater accessibility, speed, and security for parties across the country. The move dovetails with the Philippine government’s broader agenda to modernize public services, building on the legal foundation laid by the Electronic Commerce Act and subsequent regulations.
Industry observers note that Twala’s blockchain‑based PKI and AI features satisfy the Court’s security and verification requirements. The platform’s tamper‑evident records are particularly valuable for high‑trust transactions in real‑estate and finance.
The accreditation is expected to accelerate the adoption of electronic notarization nationwide. Lawyers, businesses, and individuals who previously relied on paper‑based notarization can now use Twala’s secure, legally compliant platform to complete notarizations online.
As the Philippines moves toward a more digital legal ecosystem, the Supreme Court’s endorsement of Twala signals a broader commitment to modernizing legal processes. The next phase will involve monitoring the implementation of the 2025 Rules and ensuring that electronic notaries and ENFs maintain compliance with the Court’s standards.
The accreditation also sets a precedent for other legal‑tech firms seeking to become certified ENFs. The Supreme Court’s framework provides a clear path for companies to develop secure, compliant digital notarization services that meet the country’s legal requirements.
In sum, the Supreme Court’s accreditation of Twala as an Electronic Notarization Facility marks a milestone in the Philippines’ transition to legally recognized digital transactions. The move is expected to streamline notarization processes, enhance security, and broaden access to legal services nationwide.
