SC greenlights use of sign language in court proceedings

The Supreme Court (SC) has approved the rules institutionalizing the use of Filipino sign language (FSL) in court proceedings.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

In its session held last Oct. 28, the high tribunal approved A.M. 21-12-04-SC or the “Rules on Filipino Sign Language Interpreting in the Judiciary,” which carries out Republic Act 11106 or the Filipino Sign Language Act.

In a press briefer, SC spokesperson Camille Ting said the FSL rules also affirms the state’s commitment under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to guarantee the full participation of medically and culturally deaf Filipinos in judicial processes.