INTERIM GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF VIDEOCONFERENCE HEARING AT THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN CAIRO, EGYPT​
1. Pursuant to Section IV of the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ Administrative Matter (A.M.) No. 20-12-01-SC, the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, Egypt may facilitate the conduct of videoconference hearing (VCH) at its premises at the following address: ​
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
Building 9, Street 215, Sarayat, Maadi
Cairo, Egypt
2. The applicant shall submit a request letter for the conduct of the VCH addressed to the Ambassador and sent to the Embassy email (cairo.pe@dfa.gov.ph), copy furnished the Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs (OTLA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Manila (otla@dfa.gov.ph), at least one (1) month before the scheduled hearing in order for the Embassy to undertake administrative preparations.
3. The Embassy can only accommodate VCH requests that are scheduled between 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Egypt time) or 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Philippine time) from Sundays to Thursdays. The concerned party shall coordinate with the Embassy regarding the VCH schedule and convey the same to the Court so that the latter could reflect the same in the Order to be issued. The duration of the VCH must also be pre-determined to avoid disruptions in the operations of the Embassy.
4. A copy of the Court Order approving the conduct of the VCH must be sent to cairo.pe@dfa.gov.ph at least three (3) working days prior to the scheduled hearing.
5. The concerned party must settle the cash payment at least one (1) working day before the scheduled VCH. An official receipt shall be issued for the following fees that will be paid:
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Use of the Embassy premises and administrative fees
(25 sqm x USD 12.00 per DFA D.O. No. 2021-018)- USD 300.00 (EGP 16,200.00)
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Certification (upon request) – USD 40.00 (EGP 2,160.00)
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Expedite Fee (Certificate) – USD 10.00 (EGP 540.00)
6. The Embassy will only provide a suitable room for the conduct of the VCH. The requesting party is responsible for ensuring that his/her witness is able to bring their own equipment for the VCH, including, but not limited to, the (a) laptop or mobile phone with working camera, speakers and microphone; (b) court-approved VCH platform or app, including the log-in credentials; and (c) mobile internet such as mobile hotspot or portable wireless modem (pocket WiFi).
7. The concerned party must be at the Embassy premises at least thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled VCH for technical tests and other arrangements.
8. No companion shall be allowed inside the room unless expressly allowed or ordered by the Court.
9. The role of the Embassy personnel shall be limited only to verifying the identity of the person/s appearing before the VCH through his/her valid passport and/or other valid government-issued identification card.
10. In lieu of a videoconference hearing, parties concerned may consider resorting to other modes of evidence-taking such as deposition through written interrogatories, if such mode/s is/are applicable to the case.
11. The above guidelines shall be strictly complied with. Any deviation from the guidelines shall serve as valid grounds to postpone or cancel the conduct of VCH. Further queries and concerns may be sent to the Embassy’s Consular Section through WhatsApp (+201288951110).