SC imposes preventive measures vs coronavirus

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has adopted measures to ensure the safety of its employees and officials amid the coronavirus pandemic without abandoning its constitutional mandate.

During Friday’s special meeting, the high court has decided that all courts in the National Capital Region (NCR) shall operate only with a skeleton staff effective from March 15 to April 12.

“All Justices and Judges must be on stand-by during this period to act on and hear urgent matters,” read the high court’s latest circular.

On Thursday, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta has ordered the cancellation of court hearings but required all court staff to report for work.

The latest order designated only skeleton staff came a day after President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the country’s Code Red Sublevel has been raised from 1 to 2.

Peralta also reminded all Justices of the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals to limit the people it will allow to enter the halls of justices and court premises and to constantly sanitize court premises especially the common areas.

The high court also took to task the Justices as well as Executive Judges to monitor the conditions of their respective personnel.

The Chief Justice also issued a memorandum to all Supreme Court Chiefs of Office and Services containing the following:

a.   There shall be a skeleton staff in order to maintain the unimpeded service to the public, except for the following who will report for work in full force: Medical and Dental Services, Office of the Bar Confidant, Property Division, Security Division, and Office of Administrative Services;

b.  Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) contractual employees are not required to report for work from March 16 to April 14, 2020;

c.    The Chiefs of Office/Service shall be required to report for work to ensure the normal operation of the office;

d.  Social distancing shall be strictly enforced at all times; and

e.   The flexible work arrangement shall take effect immediately until further orders from the Court.

Peralta also ordered the temporary suspension on the personal follow-up of pending transactions throughout the various Supreme Court offices effective immediately until further notice.

“All offices concerned shall direct the public to course matters for follow up to the Judiciary Public Assistance Section (JPAS),” Peralta ordered.

The high court has also ordered the cancellation of training programs and activities of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA), the SC’s education arm.

RELATED STORIES

SC shuns work suspension in courts amid coronavirus scare

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