Manila: The Supreme Court's (SC) recent decision to mandate sign language interpreters in all courts has been hailed as a 'major step toward inclusive justice' by Senator Francis Pangilinan. This move, announced on Friday, is aimed at enhancing access to justice for individuals with hearing impairments.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Pangilinan emphasized that this initiative is both historic and overdue, highlighting its significance in ensuring that access to justice is not contingent upon one's physical capabilities. He remarked that the SC's order to appoint accredited interpreters across the judiciary underscores the commitment to providing equal and dignified access to the judicial process for every Filipino.

The senator expressed that the grievances of individuals with hearing disabilities have finally been acknowledged. He reiterated the right of every Filipino, including those with physical disabilities, to actively participate in the trial process and court proceedings.

The SC resolution, dated October 28, stipulates that the Filipino Sign Language rules will come into effect on December 15. Senator Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, had previously advocated for a budgetary allocation to support Filipino Sign Language in courts.

He stressed that the allocated budget should be utilized for training, accreditation, and interpretation services to ensure due process for those with communication disabilities. Pangilinan described this allocation as a meaningful investment in strengthening the justice system.