SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE

UN CONVENTION AGAINST CYBERCRIME

PHILIPPINE STATEMENT

To be delivered by

HON. HENRY RHOEL R. AGUDA

Secretary

Department of Information and Communications Technology

Republic of the Philippines

25 October 2025, 14:00 – 17:00 p.m.

Main Hall, National Convention Center, Hanoi

Mr. Chair, Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon.

First of all, we wish to congratulate Viet Nam on the successful organization of this signing ceremony and thank our hosts for their warm hospitality.

The Philippines is honored to be among the first signatories of the UN Convention Against Cybercrime.  Our early signature demonstrates our resolve to strengthen global cooperation against borderless and rapidly evolving cyber threats.  We believe that only a united international community can meet this challenge.

The road to the Convention’s adoption was long and arduous, and the Philippines is proud to have actively participated in the negotiations.

Throughout the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, we endeavored to be a consensus-builder and pathfinder, offering a steady and constructive voice in the discussions. We supported provisions on technical assistance and capacity-building, ensuring that even the smallest and least-resourced States can benefit from the Convention and fully participate in the global response.

We staunchly advocated for child safety, championing strong provisions against the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.  At the same time, we consistently pushed for conditions and safeguards that strike a careful balance between effective law enforcement and the protection of human rights and privacy.

At the national level, the Philippines has long recognized the urgency of confronting cybercrime. In 2012, we enacted the Cybercrime Prevention Act, a comprehensive law covering offenses committed by, through, and with the use of information and communications technology and the collection of electronic evidence.

Our legal framework also includes legislation on online child sexual abuse and exploitation, the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images, and anti-money laundering related to cybercrime, reflecting our determination to protect our people while upholding human rights.

We further strengthened our commitment to international cooperation on cybercrime by acceding to the Budapest Convention, and ratifying it in 2018.

Most recently, in August 2025, we launched our Guidelines on Cybercrime Investigation and Prosecution to establish a uniform process for handling cybercrime, enhance digital forensics, and maximize avenues for international cooperation on evidence-sharing.

Mr. Chair,

The UN Convention Against Cybercrime will establish a common legal framework, close gaps exploited by criminals, and strengthen cross-border cooperation in investigations and prosecutions. Its provisions on mutual legal assistance and the 24/7 network will accelerate access to information and electronic evidence crucial to modern law enforcement.

The Philippines extends its deepest appreciation to all delegations and stakeholders who worked tirelessly toward the adoption and signing of this Convention.  We look forward to continued partnership as we move toward its effective implementation. Thank you. Mabuhay!