The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday announced the completion of draft rules on the use of Filipino Sign Language (FSL) in the judiciary, a milestone aimed at making court proceedings more accessible to the d/Deaf community.
The initiative supports the SC’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027, which promotes inclusivity and accountability in the justice system. The rules are the first of their kind in Philippine legal history.
SC Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao, who chairs the Technical Working Group, described the effort as a meaningful service to the d/Deaf community. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi, saying, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Pot Chavez
The draft ensures that qualified sign language interpreters are available in court, facilitates communication with d/Deaf parties and witnesses, and eliminates barriers to full participation in judicial processes.
Once approved by the SC En Banc, the FSL Rules will be rolled out nationwide through official court visits and dialogues with judges and personnel to ensure uniform implementation.
