MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Chel Diokno of the Akbayan Partylist filed House Bill 3863, known as the “Batas sa Sariling Wika Act,” on Monday.
The bill seeks to require the translation of all laws containing penal provisions into Filipino, Bisaya, Ilocano, and other Philippine languages.
The proposed legislation aims to make the legal system more accessible to Filipinos who may not be proficient in English.
Under the bill, new laws would need to be translated within 90 days of enactment, while existing laws would have a five-year deadline for translation.
The measure proposes amending the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 to implement these requirements. It underscores the importance of ensuring citizens can understand legal texts in their own native languages.
If passed, the bill would mark a significant step toward improving legal access and comprehension across the diverse linguistic landscape of the Philippines.
