Peralta orders two-day closure of courts in ‘NCR Plus’ areas

Outgoing Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta on Thursday ordered the physical closure of all courts in areas under “NCR Plus” due to the rising cases of COVID-19.

Peralta’s order took effect at 2 p.m. on Thursday and covered the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and trial courts.

The closure will last until Friday.

“However, during this period, the courts and court offices must remain open and accessible to the public and court users through their respective hotlines and email addresses as published in the Supreme Court (SC) website to act on matters and concerns,” the SC Public Information Office said.

All hearings in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal were suspended except for urgent matters such as but not limited to petitions, motions, and pleadings in relation to bail and habeas corpus, and promulgation of judgments of acquittals.

The SC said urgent matters also include reliefs for those who may be arrested and detained during this period, and other related actions that may be filed in relation to measures imposed at the local or national levels to address the public health emergency.

Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the government placed Metro Manila and the four neighboring provinces under a general community quarantine bubble from March 22 to April 4.

Residents of NCR Plus areas are not allowed to leave the bubble for non-essential trips, while residents outside the bubble are not allowed entry except for purposes deemed by the government as "essential."—AOL, GMA News