SC extends physical closure of courts in NCR, areas under MECQ

The Supreme Court on Friday extended the physical closure of courts in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other areas under a modified enhanced general community quarantine until May 14.

In an administrative circular, the SC said all first and second-level courts, the appellate collegiate courts, and their judicial offices in NCR, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Santiago City in Isabela, Quirino, and Abra will be closed.

The SC also said the courts and judicial offices in areas under a localized ECQ and MECQ will also be closed for the duration of the quarantine status.

Despite this, it assured that the courts will remain fully operational through videoconferencing.

Meanwhile, the SC also suspended the filing of pleadings and motions. These will resume seven days from the first day of the physical reopening of the courts.

According to the court, courts and judicial offices in areas under a general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ will remain open with at least a 25% workforce.

Areas under GCQ are Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City, and Lanao del Sur.

“Justices and Judges may conduct videoconferencing from home, provided they will be within their respective judicial territorial region, and with notice to the Office of the Court Administrator with respect to Judges of the first and second level courts,” it said.

The Philippines has reported 1,037,460 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 946,318 have recovered and 17,234 have died. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA News