1,500 courts authorized to conduct hearings through videoconferencing

A total of 1,500 courts across the country are now authorized to conduct hearings through videoconferencing, according to the Supreme Court (SC).

The number of authorized courts increased from 1,350 after Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta allowed more court stations to pilot-test videoconferencing hearings during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) issued a circular on Wednesday announcing the authorization of 80 additional court stations -- each of which may have several branches -- to pilot-test videoconferencing hearings.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez earlier said videoconference hearings will continue in areas under general community quarantine.

The SC approved last year the guidelines on the use of videoconferencing technology for the remote appearance and testimonies of persons facing charges and are detained.  It was first tested in Davao.

In April this year, amid the COVID-19 crisis, the SC authorized several courts to hold such hearings but only on urgent matters involving detainees.

The following month, the chief justice said the authorized courts may now hold videoconference hearings on all pending matters in both criminal and civil cases.

The courts have also promulgated convictions through online proceedings in at least three cases, according to Marquez.

“There was a case for qualified human trafficking in Angeles City, and for large scale trafficking for prostitution, and rape both in Cebu City. In all three, the accused were sentenced to life imprisonment and reclusion perpetua,” he said in a statement on May 31. —LDF, GMA News