The Supreme Court en banc has approved new rules institutionalizing the use of Filipino Sign Language (FSL) in all court proceedings, ensuring equal and full access to justice for the nation’s deaf community.
The decision formally establishes FSL as an essential and regulated component of the judicial process, operationalizing the Filipino Sign Language Act (Republic Act 11106) and upholding the country’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The comprehensive set of rules makes the engagement of qualified and accredited FSL interpreters mandatory in all court proceedings involving deaf parties or witnesses.
The new framework enhances accessibility by permitting the use of both on-site and remote interpreting. The court included necessary safeguards to protect the accuracy, confidentiality, and reliability of interpretations across all methods.
Furthermore, the rules establish clear professional standards and procedures for the accreditation and payment of FSL interpreters within the judiciary, guaranteeing their competence and ethical conduct.
The rules were drafted by a technical working group chaired by Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, as the group refined the standards through extensive meetings and consultations with stakeholders, including representatives from Deaf organizations and interpreters’ groups, ensuring the rules are responsive to the community’s needs.
The Supreme Court cited that the FSL Rules are a vital part of its flagship initiative, the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI), specifically strengthening its Access to Justice program.