Over 60,000 detainees freed since mid-March, says Supreme Court exec

More than 60,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been released since the implementation of community quarantine due to the COVID-19 threat, an official of the Supreme Court said on Sunday.

Interviewed in Dobol B sa News TV, Court Administrator Atty. Midas Marquez said that courts were able to adjust conducting hearing through in-court and  video conference hearing amid the pandemic.

“Hindi lahat naman ay through video conference hearing (ang nagawa) kasi 'yung iba in-court hearings na tinatawag. Ang na-release more than 60,000 PDLs magmula noong March 17,” Marquez said.

Marquez  noted that these detainees were facing minor and bailable cases.

According to him, around 54,000 video conference hearings have been conducted since March 17.

According to Marquez, one court personnel died due to COVID-19, while some personnel and even judges tested positive for COVID-19. He noted that the rest have already recovered.

According to Marquez, the challenges that courts are facing in the midst of the pandemic are the fear of personnel contracting the virus, and the poor internet connection during video conference hearing.

The SC has allowed the electronic filing of cases, applications for bail, and transmission of release orders during the health emergency. Reduced bail was also allowed for indigent detainees.

Likewise, the SC has authorized several courts nationwide to hold hearings through videoconferencing, initially only on urgent matters involving detainees and later on all pending cases.

These initiatives came in the form of administrative circulars, which also included a reminder for judges to follow existing guidelines on the release of qualified detainees, such as those who have served the minimum penalty for their alleged offense. —LBG, GMA News