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strong>May 2, p7

'€œIm work to Dubai United Arab Emirates [...] Im work there as a servant and my contract is 2 year'€™s but im stay there for 10 months because have someone want to rape me, I decided to come back to Philippines on Dec. 31, 2009.

I'€™m comeback to my country but my money not enough because my son already go to school [...] I need a work again [...] How many times I go to the Manila in Agency I try to apply again as a servant take to the another country but almost three months the agency did not contact me.'€ (As quoted by Julius C. Martinez, Manila)

Your comments:

The article makes a very important point. Even if somebody can speak English well, it does not mean that their comprehension of it is great.

It is a very difficult situation, because even a good interpreter who speaks the language of the accused and has training in legal matters could still misunderstand what is said in court if not au fait with the finer points of the Indonesian legal system.

For an interpreter to have experience in legal jargon in the country where the court case is being held is a lot to ask, and I imagine that it would cost a lot too, as he or she would not only have to learn the legal language, but also study the judicial system in depth. Would there be time to do this? Would interpreters be prepared to do it? Who would pay?

Postin

The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta failed in its duty of providing a qualified Tagalog-Indonesian interpreter for Mary Jane'€™s trial. The embassy should have done its utmost to protect one of its citizens. The ambassador must be held responsible.

Malam