SC suspends court hearings from March 13-18 due to coronavirus threat

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has suspended court hearings from March 13 to 18 as a preventive measure against the 2019 coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

Earlier, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta issued an Administrative Circular to guide the lower courts on how to prevent the spread of the virus.

READ: SC shuns work suspension in courts amid coronavirus scare

But upon recommendation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCAD), the high court announced that “all court hearings in the first, second and collegiate courts are hereby suspended beginning 13 March 2020 until 18 March 2020.”

During this period, Justices and judges are directed to conduct the following:

1. Reset hearings and inform parties of the new schedule;

2. Disinfect court premises;

3. Pen orders and decisions;

4. Act on other matters pending before their respective courts.

The OCAD made the recommendation after basing its monitoring of the situation and consultation from executive judges, presiding judges and court personnel, including officials of the Supreme Court. OCAD is in charge of the operation of lower courts nationwide.

Suspension of hearings shall be in the first, second and collegiate courts.

Meanwhile, Justices and judges are expected to continue to report to the Office of the Court Administrator any development or circumstance regarding the spread of COVID-19.