Courts in Alert Level 3 areas closed until Jan. 31, 2022 —SC

All courts in areas under Alert Level 3 have been physically closed starting Thursday, January 13, 2022 until Monday, January 31, 2022 due to the increasing COVID-19 cases in the country, according to the Supreme Court.

In a memorandum order, the Supreme Court said all courts in the National Capital Region, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna are physically closed.

The high court later added the following areas to the list:

Cordillera Administrative Region: Baguio, Benguet, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province

Region 1: Dagupan City, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur

Region 2: City of Santiago, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Quirino

Region 3: Angeles City, Bataan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Aurora

Region 4-A: Batangas, Lucena City, Quezon Province

Region 4-B: Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon

Region 5: Naga City, Camarines Sur, Albay, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Sorsogon

Region 6: Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Negros Occidental Guimaras

Region 7: Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental

Region 8: Tacloban City, Ormoc City, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, Western Samar

Region 10: Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon, Iligan City, Misamis Ociddental, Misamis Oriental

Region 11: Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte

Region 12: General Santos City, South Cotabato

Caraga Region: Butuan City, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte

Bangsamoro Region: Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur

The areas will remain under Alert Level 3 until January 31, 2022.

READ: MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 10-2022
RE: RISING CASES OF COVID 19 INFECTION/PHYSICAL CLOSURE OF COURTS IN SELECT AREAS pic.twitter.com/2Vaga4bi3A

— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) January 12, 2022

The high court said all in-court hearings are suspended, but fully remote videoconferencing hearings may proceed on urgent matters such as inquest, bail hearings, the promulgation of acquittals or dismissals in criminal cases, temporary or permanent protection orders, habeas corpus petitions, petition for writs of amparo, and similar cases.

Meanwhile, the SC advised the public to reach out to the proper court to determine if the matter being raised is urgent.

It said calls will be entertained from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.

The filing period of any and all pleadings that fall due during January was also extended until Tuesday, February 1, 2022.—LDF, GMA News