court interpreters. Of 63 cases of unschooled deaf parties requiring deaf relay interpreters, 75% have no interpreter6  Taking note of this concern, legislators have been pushing for the passage of the Filipino Sign Language Act since 2016. The passage of this act would result to the mandatory use of Filipino sign language and an official directive mandating courts, quasi-judicial agencies and other tribunals to ensure the availability of Filipino sign language interpreting in all proceedings involving the deaf. The act likewise mandates the Supreme Court and other agencies to promote appropriate training for those working in the administration of justice including court personnel and police and prison staff. 7 2. Do you have examples from your country on: a. how procedural and age-appropriate accommodations are provided and applied, including protocols or other guidelines;  As regards the examination of child witnesses, courts may be guided by the Rule on Examination of a Child Witness (Child Witness Rule)8 which governs the examination of child witnesses who are “victims of crime, accused of a crime, and witnesses to crime.” Section 4 of the said rules provide that in child abuse cases, a “child” includes one who is over eighteen years but is found by the court as unable to fully take care of himself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.  The rules further provide that the judge shall ensure that child witness is asked only “developmentally appropriate questions.” Sec. 6.e. Developmentally appropriate questions. — The questions asked at the competency examination shall be appropriate to the age and developmental level of the child; shall not be related to the issues at trial; and shall focus on the ability of the child to remember, communicate, distinguish between truth and falsehood, and appreciate the duty to testify truthfully. Sec. 19. Mode of questioning. - The court shall exercise control over the questioning of children so as to (1) facilitate the ascertainment of the truth; (2) ensure that questions are stated in a form appropriate to the developmental level of the child; (3) protect children from 6 Philippine Coalition on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Universal Periodic Review 2nd Cycle Parallel report (2013) http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/session13/PH/JS5_UPR_PHL_S13_2012_JointSubmissio n5_E.pdf (last accessed on 30 April 2017) 7 Senate Bill No. 966 – An Act Declaring Filipino Sign Language as the National Sign Language of the Filipino Deaf and the Official Language of the Government in all Transactions Involving the Deaf, and Mandates Its Use in Schools, Broadcast Media and Workplaces (2016) https://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2452421106!.pdf (last accessed on 30 April 2017) 8 Supreme Court, A.M. No. 004-07-S (2000).