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Courts to test video conference hearings on urgent cases involving detainees


Hearings on urgent matters in criminal cases involving detainees through videoconferencing will be pilot tested in several authorized courts nationwide amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta issued an administrative circular Monday ordering the pilot testing meant to further restrain the movement of court users, detainees, judges and court staff to minimize the spread of the virus.

 

 

The issuance cites the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in some areas, the imposition of a general community quarantine in several provinces, and the reported COVID-19 infection of detainees in different detention facilities.

Video conference hearings will cover all inmates and apply to all stages of trial of new and pending criminal cases, from arraignment to promulgation of judgment, according to the circular.

"The courts shall ensure at all times that all the constitutional rights of
the accused are protected and observed, including '[t]he rights of the accused to be present and defend in person at every stage of the proceedings, to testify as a witness in his or her own behalf, and to confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him or her at trial'..." the issuance states.

Video conference hearings should "closely resemble" in-person appearances and testimonies and mirror the "dignity and solemnity of in-court proceedings," it adds.

"It is clearly understood that these hearings in criminal cases through
videoconferencing are only for pilot testing, and shall apply only during this public health emergency period," the circular states.

The Office of the Court Administrator was tasked to take steps to implement the test and to submit a report to the Supreme Court in six months or immediately after the end of the public health emergency period, whichever comes earlier.

Video conference hearings will be pilot tested in the following court stations:

  • All court stations in the National Capital Judicial Region;
  • Region I - La Trinidad, Benguet; Baguio City; Dagupan City, Pangasinan;
  • Region II - Ilagan, Isabela; Santiago City; Cabagan, Isabela; Roxas, Isabela; and Lubuagan, Kalinga;
  • Region III – Olongapo City; Balanga City; Mariveles, Bataan; Gapan City; Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija; San Fernando, Pampanga; Guagua, Pampanga; Angeles City; Capas, Tarlac;
  • Region IV - Tanauan, Batangas; Balayan, Batangas; Nasugbu, Batangas; Rosario, Batangas; Tagaytay City; Trece Martires, Cavite; Imus, Cavite; Naic, Cavite; San Pablo City; Calamba, Laguna; Lucena City, Gumaca, Quezon; Binangonan, Rizal; San Mateo, Rizal; Morong, Rizal; Antipolo City; Boac, Marinduque; Calapan City; Puerto Princesa, Palawan;
  • Region V - Legazpi City; Naga City; Sorsogon City;
  • Region VI - Iloilo City; Bacolod City; San Jose, Antique; San Carlos City, Negros Occidental;
  • Region VII - Cebu City; Lapu Lapu City; Mandaue City; Dumaguete City; Tanjay City;
  • Region VIII - Tacloban City; Ormoc City;
  • Region IX - Dipolog City; Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; Zamboanga City; Pagadian City; Isabela City, Basilan; Jolo, Sulu;
  • Region X - Cagayan de Oro City; Surigao City; Malaybalay City, Bukidnon;
  • Region XI - Tandag City; Digos City; Gen. Santos City; Koronadal City; Polomok City; Alabel, Sarangani;
  • Region XII - Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao; Marawi City; Iligan City; Kidapawan City and Midsayap, North Cotabato

Quarantine extension

In another circular, Peralta said all courts in the areas where the enhanced community quarantine was extended will stay closed until May 15 and may be reached only by phone and online.

Online filings and bail posting, the scheduling of judges-on-duty, the suspension of night and Saturday courts and of non-urgent hearings will also remain in ECQ areas until May 15.

Filings of petitions and other court submissions that will be due up to May 15 are extended for 30 calendar days from May 16, but parties may file within the original deadline through electronic means.

The period for court actions in ECQ areas is also extended for 30 calendar days from May 16, except actions on urgent matters.

 

—LDF, GMA News

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