Use of Filipino in Court Proceedings
Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 16-10, issued on March 4, 2010, allows the optional use of Filipino in court proceedings for specific branches of the Regional Trial Court in Bulacan. This decision addresses the challenges faced by judges and court stenographers regarding the use of the national language in legal contexts. The Presiding Judge can determine the appropriateness of using Filipino based on its effectiveness in communicating with litigants, without requiring literal translations of technical terms. The initiative aims to enhance accessibility and foster a closer relationship between the judiciary and the public. Judges are encouraged to provide feedback on the effectiveness of this policy to the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA).
March 4, 2010
SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 16-10
| TO | : | Regional Trial Court, Branches 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, and 83, Bulacan |
| SUBJECT | : | Use of Filipino in Court Proceedings |
In view of the difficulties encountered in the use of Filipino in court proceedings manifested by the Presiding Judges and the court stenographers of the above-mentioned courts, as expressed in their letters, dated January 12, 2010 and January 7, 2010, to the Chancellor of PHILJA, the use of the national language therein shall be optional and on a per case basis.
Henceforth, in appropriate cases as may be determined by the Presiding Judge and without objection of the parties, the above-mentioned courts may use Filipino in the hearing and resolution of motions, or in the conduct of mediation, pre-trial conference, trial, and in any other court proceedings. Existing translations of laws and rules may be used freely, and technical terms in English or Latin need not be translated literally into Filipino.
In determining whether Filipino should be used in court, the test, as proposed by the Presiding Judges in their letter, is its effectiveness as a medium of communication with the litigants. It should be emphasized here that the pilot test conducted by PHILJA in certain designated branches of the Regional Trial Court in Bulacan was launched as part of the campaign to bring the judiciary closer to the people.
The judges of the Regional Trial Court in Bulacan who may want to report on the effectiveness of the use of Filipino in judicial proceedings may do so by directing their comments and observations to the PHILJA.
Manila, March 4, 2010. aTADCE
(SGD.) REYNATO S. PUNOChief Justice