Davao RTC holds first-ever videoconferencing in PHL court

The pilot testing of videoconferencing in Philippine courts was held at Davao Regional Trial Court on Monday.

According to a report on GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, modern technology was maximized for the hearing of the case of an alleged New People's Army member.

The detained suspect remotely appeared before the judge while he was in a detention facility.

Two TV screens were set up inside the courtroom.

The Supreme Court approved the guidelines for the use of videoconferencing technology for court proceedings last month.

The guidelines allow inmates "considered to be high-risk or afflicted with highly contagious diseases" to appear or testify through videoconferencing to eliminate safety, security, and health risks posed by their personal appearance, according to the SC Public Information Office.—Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News