Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 6035)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 6035 is to require stenographers to provide free certified transcripts of notes to indigent and low income litigants upon written request, and to impose penalties for violations of this requirement.
Indigent or low income litigants, their counsel, or duly authorized representatives are entitled to request a free certified transcript of notes taken by a stenographer.
An indigent or low income litigant includes anyone without visible means of support, whose income does not exceed P300 per month, or whose income, even if above P300, is insufficient for the subsistence of their family. The investigating fiscal, judge, commissioner, or tribunal decides this based on family dependency.
The investigating fiscal, trial judge, hearing commissioner, or quasi-judicial/admin tribunal hearing the case determines indigency or low income status during the proceeding.
The stenographer must provide a free certified transcript of the notes taken during the hearing or trial within a reasonable period as determined by the fiscal, judge, commissioner, or tribunal.
Penalties include suspension from office for up to 30 days on the first offense, suspension for 30 to 60 days on the second offense, and removal from office on the third offense after a due hearing.
Disciplinary hearings are conducted in accordance with Republic Act No. 2260, as amended.
Yes, this Act applies to all indigent or low income litigants with pending cases at the time of its approval in any fiscal office, court, quasi-judicial body, or administrative tribunal.
The Department of Justice is responsible for prescribing rules and regulations and ensuring necessary supplies and government equipment for stenographers.
It took effect upon its approval on August 4, 1969.