Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 3504)
The official language of all courts and their records is English until otherwise provided by the Philippine Legislature.
Spanish was also an official language of the courts and their records until January 1, 1940.
Yes, the Supreme Court and any Court of First Instance, justice of the peace court, municipal court, or other similar courts may order records to be made in either English or Spanish if deemed best for public convenience and interests of the parties.
Yes, any party or counsel may examine witnesses and make oral arguments in either English or Spanish.
A court interpreter must interpret the examination or argument into the other language upon request of the party or counsel who does not understand the language used.
Yes, these documents may be submitted in either English or Spanish without an accompanying translation into the other language.
If all parties or counsel stipulate in writing or if the accused in a criminal case requests, the language used in the record may be according to such stipulation or request.
Proceedings in justice of the peace courts are conducted in Spanish unless the justice speaks English and there is an official interpreter or if all parties or counsel speak English.
The act took effect upon its approval on December 8, 1928.
The provision recognizes both English and Spanish as official court languages until 1940, allowing flexibility to accommodate public convenience and the interests of the parties, reflecting the bilingual legal heritage of the Philippines during that period.