Team AdMU-LNU caps “Language as Gatekeeper of Justice” in Forensic, Legal Linguistics Confab
MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON (Nov. 25-27, 2025) – 1st Philippine Association of Forensic and Legal Linguistic (PAFLL) Asian Biennial Conference 2025 at Bukidnon State University (BSU).
Highlighting the critical role of language in contracts and courtroom discourse, Dr. Isabel Pefianco Martin, professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Management at the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), led the themed-panel presentation centered on language as gatekeepers of justice at the 1st Philippine Association of Forensic and Legal Linguistics (PAFLL) Asian Biennial Conference 2025 held at Bukidnon State University on Nov. 25 to 27.
Delivering a compelling presentation on the significance of language in courtroom interpreting within the Philippine context, Prof. Martin emphasized how courtroom interpreters serve as crucial bridges between social justice and linguistic understanding, including fairness in legal proceedings.
Supporting Dr. Martin, Asst. Prof. Jufran C. Agustin and Ms. Nancy M. Zabat, both PhD English Language and Literature students, presented the pressing concerns within the realm of legal language. Agustin explored the nuances of lawyers’ courtroom questioning techniques in Leyte, while Zabat zeroed in on the challenges faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) navigating contracts, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
Serving as the panel moderator, Ms. Kaela R. Madrunio, faculty member of Philippine Normal University and MA Forensic Linguistics graduate at Aston University, also shared insights in
securing corpus for aspiring researchers in the field. Answering the questions of the participants during the open forum, the team addressed key concerns about ethics clearance processes and the application of legal linguistics in real-world cases.
They also discussed the importance of developing concrete action plans as research outcomes, aiming to enhance the practical impact of their academic work.
The team hopes to present another themed-panel presentation at Isabela State University in 2027 which will be co-organized by PAFLL, led by its founding president, Dr. Marilu R. Madrunio.
Published by: Rico Combinido, IT Support Office