REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUPREME COURT

Memorandum Order No. 59-2004

AUTHORIZING THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR TO ACT ON AND APPROVE REQUESTS OF LOWER COURTS FOR THE HIRING OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

WHEREAS, some cases before trial courts may involve parties or require witnesses who, to be fully understood and prevent possible miscarriage of justice, may require a sign language interpreter, and

WHEREAS, in such cases, the trial judge has to request the Supreme Court, through the Office of the Court Administrator, to hire the services of a sign language interpreter. The Court Administrator would, thereafter, recommend to the Court the hiring of the sign language interpreter. The procedure may cause delays.

WHEREFORE, in the interest of the service, the Court Administrator is hereby authorized to act on and grant requests of trial court judges to hire the services of sign language interpreters in actions or proceedings where such services would be rendered.

The Court Administrator may fix the fee of the sign language interpreter on a per day or per appearance basis, and such expenditure/s shall be chargeable against the savings in appropriations for the Lower Courts.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect upon its issuance.

Issued this 10^th day of September 2004

(Sgd.) HILARIO G. DAVIDE JR.

Chief Justice