The legal tech industry in the Philippines is an exciting, evolving space. Yet, as a CTO working in this field, I’ve come to realize that the biggest challenge isn’t the technology itself—it’s adoption. Many users in the legal sector struggle with transitioning beyond basic tools like email. Introducing them to more sophisticated solutions often becomes a hurdle. This is where we come in at UNAWA: bridging the gap between advanced technology and the usability expectations of our audience.
My first foray into legal tech was back in 2007, working with the Food and Drug Administration. We developed a document management system alongside a website and intranet for their processes. That experience introduced me to the complexities of legal and government workflows and inspired my commitment to creating systems that simplify such intricacies. Today, my role involves crafting scalable solutions that meet both regulatory requirements and user demands.
Making Legal Tech Meaningful for Developers
Legal tech may not immediately strike developers as the most exciting field. Platforms like social media or entertainment apps might seem more glamorous, but working in this space offers unique satisfaction. It’s not just about writing code; it’s about contributing to national progress. Legal tech empowers users, streamlines government processes, and helps organizations comply with critical regulations. Knowing that the tools I build can eliminate the need for tedious, in-person transactions—saving users time and effort—keeps me motivated.
For developers considering this field, the opportunities are substantial. Security is a key focus in legal tech, and solutions here require going beyond standard protocols. We constantly develop and test advanced measures, from enterprise-grade firewalls to client-side processing. These experiences are invaluable, pushing developers to innovate and build solutions that meet the highest benchmarks.
Translating Legal Complexity into Scalable Solutions
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is translating intricate legal requirements into accessible tech. The key is simplification. At UNAWA, we often start by studying user flows and designing intuitive interfaces. On the backend, we streamline processes to ensure seamless data input and output without compromising performance. For example, in the transition from SignSecure version 1 to version 2, we shifted processing from the backend to the client side. This optimization allowed the platform to handle heavy user loads without system slowdowns.
Regulatory adaptability is another critical factor. Laws and guidelines evolve, so our solutions must be flexible. We address this by creating customizable templates, enabling enterprises to adapt to changes without overhauling their systems. This balance of adaptability and user-friendliness is central to our success.
Building Filipino-Owned Innovation
One of my proudest contributions is developing UNAWA’s facial recognition technology from the ground up. Instead of relying on costly proprietary software, we used open-source libraries, making the solution affordable and accessible for startups. This isn’t just a technical achievement—it’s a testament to what Filipino developers can accomplish with resourcefulness and ingenuity.
Innovation isn’t about deploying the most advanced tech for the sake of it. At UNAWA, we focus on delivering scalable, enterprise-ready solutions at reasonable costs. This approach has allowed us to meet high-security standards while remaining competitive for both government and enterprise clients.
The Balancing Act: Technical Robustness vs. User-Friendliness
Balancing technical depth with usability is always a challenge. To address this, we prioritize design studies and user feedback early in development. On the technical side, we map out detailed workflows and use case scenarios to optimize system performance. For instance, by fine-tuning our processing workflows, we ensure that users experience smooth interactions, regardless of the data complexity behind the scenes.
Developing a secure and user-friendly system isn’t just about technical precision—it’s about foresight. This philosophy drives every decision, from creating streamlined input fields to building resilient systems that adapt to various use cases.
Overcoming Challenges in Development
Every project comes with its own set of challenges. For me, one standout was re-engineering a solution I didn’t originally code. Understanding someone else’s structure without proper documentation is an uphill battle, but it taught me the importance of clean, maintainable code—a lesson I emphasize to my team.
Clients, too, can present unique hurdles. From unusual feature requests to stringent security policies, the diversity of client needs keeps us on our toes. But these challenges are also opportunities to innovate and deliver tailored solutions that exceed expectations.
The Vision for Legal Tech in the Philippines
Looking ahead, my vision is to see UNAWA become a unicorn—a startup that sets the standard for Filipino-made legal tech solutions. There’s immense potential in the Philippines, and I believe we can create flagship products that represent the best of Filipino innovation. From expanding SignSecure to integrating with everyday tools like Google Docs, the possibilities are endless.
Legal tech isn’t just about systems and processes—it’s about empowering users, driving efficiency, and fostering trust. As a developer, knowing that my work contributes to these outcomes is what makes this field truly rewarding. Together, we’re not just building tech; we’re shaping the future of legal services in the Philippines.
