Why some lawyers want Filipino in courts — and why others don't

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The Philippine Trial Lawyers Association argues legal proceedings should reflect the language most Filipinos actually speak and understand

For most Filipinos, the courtroom could sound like a different world. Lawyers trade arguments in English. Court pleadings tend to be written in English. Judicial decisions are published in English. Even as witnesses often testify in Filipino or another local language, the formal language of the country’s legal system remains overwhelmingly in English.

Now, one lawyer’s group wants that to change — at least for a month.

The Philippine Trial Lawyers Association (PTLA) has asked the Supreme Court to allow courts nationwide to use Filipino during Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa in August, arguing that legal proceedings should reflect the language most Filipinos actually speak and understand.