Rep Diokno files bill to translate laws into Filipino, Bisaya, Ilokano

Akbayan Partylist Representative Chel Diokno has filed House Bill No. 3863, the 'Batas sa Sariling Wika Act,' which proposes translating Philippine laws with penal provisions into Filipino, Bisaya, and Ilokano.

The bill aims to break language barriers by ensuring that new laws are translated within 90 days and existing ones within five years, allowing citizens like workers in Mindanao or mothers in Ilocos to understand legal documents without needing a lawyer or translator.

Diokno argues that ordinary Filipinos who do not speak English are already at a disadvantage due to their financial constraints; this bill seeks to minimize the risk of misunderstanding and misinterpretation by providing translations in local languages.

The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) will lead translation efforts, while the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is responsible for publishing these translations in the Official Gazette and online.

Co-authors of the bill include fellow Akbayan party-list representatives Percival Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Representative Arlene 'Kaka' Bag-ao.