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2013/SOM3/EC/WKSP/009
Issues Considered by the Philippines for Accession to the Apostille Convention
Submitted by: Philippines
Workshop on Simplified Authentication Process for Production of Public Documents
Abroad Through the Use of the Hague Apostille Convention
Medan, Indonesia 27June 2013
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Presented by: Mr. Jaime Victor B. LeddaAssistant SecretaryOffice of Consular AffairsDepartment of Foreign Affairs Philippines
1st CertificationAuthority/officer/agency (All Partner Agencies)
2nd CertificationAuthority/officer/agency ( Department of Foreign
Affairs)
DOCUMENT READY TO BE USED ABROAD
3rd CertificationAuthority/officer/agency (e.g. Foreign Embassies /
Consulates based in Philippines)
- Prepares AuthenticationCertificate
- Signs Authentication Certificate
- Release the Public Document with attachedAuthentication Certificate
CHED
PRC
DEPED
TESDA
DOH
LTO
NBI
PARTNER GOV’TAGENCIES:
Authentication Chain of PHL documentswithout Apostille Convention: lengthy, costly
ATO
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- Receives documents from Embassies / Applicants
- Verifies authenticity of signatures ofdocuments with DFA Main office.
- Authenticates document to be issuedto applicant
MFA / Receiving States
-Verifies authenticity of signature of documents-Receives Documents for Host / Receiving State
- Accepts documents from embassies /applicants- Request verification from DFA
Philippine Foreign Mission
DFA Main Office
-Embassiespresents docs to the receiving state-Receives confirmation
Foreign Embassies Applicants
-Verifies authenticity of signature of - Documents with DFA Main Office
-Applicantspresents docs to the receiving state-Receives confirmation
Current Verification Process(Foreign Service Posts)
Country of ORIGIN of Document (PHL)
Country of DESTINATION of Document
(Contracting Party)
Simplified Legalization of public documents with the Hague Apostille Convention
DOCUMENT READY TO BE
USED
Department of Foreign Affairs(Competent Authority)
to issue, to affix, and to registerApostille Certification
CHED
PRC
DTI
SEC
PCCI
NSO
DEPED
TESDA
DOH
LTO
NBI
PUBLICDOCUMENT
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Philippine Authentication Issuance from year 2005 to 2012
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
RegularExpress
Quantity of Documents Processed for the year 2012
Year Total = 764,074
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Authenticated Documents from PHL Gov’t Agenciesfor the year 2012
Regional Statistics of Filipinos Abroad(as of December 2012)
REGION ESTIMATED NUMBERAmericas 4,283,372Asia and Pacific 2,078,383Europe 782,878Middle East & Africa 2,830,047
GRAND TOTAL 9,974,680
Source: Office of Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, DFA
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PHL ForeignService Post
2011 2012
Hong Kong PCG 98,349 116,111Los Angeles PCG 28,001 17,115*Seoul PE 9,969 9,114Sydney PCG 506 595Tokyo PE 1,981 2,419
*Los Angeles PCG ‐ Partial Qty. (January to July 2012)
Regional Statistics of Authenticated Documents from Philippine Foreign Service Posts (PFSPs)
(as of December 2012)
Passport, 60,126
Authentication 214,460
Visa, 6,195
Consular Services Philippine Consulate General – Hong Kong
For the year 2011 to 2012
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Consular Services Philippine Consulate General – Los Angeles
For the year 2011 to 2012
Passport, 53,867
Authentication, 45,116
Visa, 4,459
Passport, 11,672
Authentication, 19,083
Visa, 23,630
Consular Services Philippine Embassy – SeoulFor the year 2011 to 2012
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Passport, 7,812Authentication, 1,101
Visa, 3,607
Consular Services Philippine Consulate General – Sydney
For the year 2011 to 2012
Passport, 41,002
Authentication, 4,400
Visa, 3,729
Consular Services Philippine Embassy – TokyoFor the year 2011 to 2012
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EFFICIENCY
Easier facilitation of Authentication for government‐issued public documents.
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
EFFECTIVENESS
Replacement of cumbersome process of legalization of public documents.
Wider scope of document validity with one‐hundred‐five (105) contracting parties as of May 1, 2013 . (New Members: Nicaragua and Bahrain)
SECURITY
Risk aversion of falsified documents. Documents can be easily monitored and detected.
Assignment of a Competent Authority (CA) to issue, affix and register Apostille delimits falsification of documents.
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
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BUSINESS & TRADE
Encourage foreign investments and trade.
Global business environment thrives on fast‐paced transactions, Apostilles of documents can be verified online and in real time.
Apostille brings the Philippines to a good standing in the aspect of document credibility in the International scope.
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
BUSINESS & TRADEThe 2010 World Bank “Investing Across Borders (IAB)” report (the report which measures foreign direct investment (FDI) based on legal and regulatory framework) states the following:
1. Apostille facilitates processing of foreign public documents for companies which are starting‐up business in host State.
2. World Bank recommends States to join the Convention to improve legal and regulatory framework that could boost the State’s FDIs.
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Great advantage for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
Streamlined process of legalisation greatly benefits OFWs in terms of convenience and lower cost.
OFWs will be able to process their public documents without having to travel from agency to agency to gather certifications and transmit documents. Cost for Apostille greatly discounts the cost of travelling.
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE•BENEFITS• PHL Challenges & Actions
Future Enhancement of Authentication Service of the Philippines:
The Hague Convention of 1961 (Apostille Convention)
PHILIPPINE APOSTILLE CHALLENGES
1. Formalization of PHL Accession to ApostilleConvention within six (6) months.
2. Forum on Accession to Apostille Convention with relevant government authorities, embassies & consulates, court, notary public.
3. Inter‐agency meeting with partner issuinggovernment agencies.
4. Determination of public documents to be “Apostillized”.
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE• APOSTILLE FUNDAMENTALS• BENEFITS• CHALLENGES
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE• APOSTILLE FUNDAMENTALS• BENEFITS• CHALLENGES
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Future Enhancement of Authentication Service of the Philippines:
The Hague Convention of 1961 (Apostille Convention)
PHILIPPINE APOSTILLE CHALLENGES
5. Designation of one (1) or more authorities that are competent to issue Apostilles.
6. Establishment of Apostille Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure.
7. Appropriation of Budget.
8. Working facilities compatible with Apostille IT Infrastructure.
9. Signing of MOA for Partner Issuing Government Agencies.
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE• APOSTILLE FUNDAMENTALS• BENEFITS• CHALLENGES
Outline:
• OVERVIEW• RATIONALE• APOSTILLE FUNDAMENTALS• BENEFITS• CHALLENGES
Department of Foreign Affairs
Maraming Salamat po!(Thank You!)
