The Philippines accedes to the 1970 Evidence Convention
On 6 May 2025, the Republic of the Philippines deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (1970 Evidence Convention).
With the accession of the Philippines, the 1970 Evidence Convention now has 68 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for the Philippines on 5 July 2025. More information on this Convention is available on the Evidence Section of the HCCH website.
At the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, depositary of the HCCH Conventions, the Philippines was represented by H.E. J. Eduardo Malaya, Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mr Jarie R. Osias, Minister and Consul, Ms Crystal Gale Dampil, Third Secretary, Ms Edna Yasay, Legal Officer, and Ms Kieren Roevi Batiles, Information Officer. The depositary was represented by Mr Jules van Eijndhoven, Head of the Treaties Division, Mr Rieks Boekholt, Senior Legal Officer at the Treaties Division, and Ms Karlijn van Bree, Coordinating Policy Officer at the Asia and Oceania Department, while the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH was represented by Ms Melissa Ford, Secretary (Diplomat Lawyer) and Head of the Transnational Litigation and Apostille Division.
The Philippines has been a Member of the HCCH since 2010 and is now a Contracting Party to six HCCH Conventions.