The Supreme Court goes online, and all the magistrates are all smiles after a special en banc.
MANILA, Philippines – With physical distancing and home quarantine restrictions, everyone relies on the internet to keep tabs with family, friends, and colleagues, Supreme Court justices included. But for the magistrates, it is to show that only court buildings are closed, but the judiciary remains open and functioning.
The screenshot shared by the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office showed the 15 justices, huddled over computer monitors, all smiles after a special en banc (full court) session through video technology.
During the deliberation, the high court justices talked about the petition calling for the release of inmates at high risk of COVID-19 infection. Also discussed was the mandamus petition to disclose the medical condition of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Discussions during the deliberations were as serious and as lively as in every usual face to face deliberations of the Supreme Court,” Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said in a tweet.
Discussions during the deliberations were as serious and as lively as in every usual face to face deliberations of the Supreme Court.
— Marvic Leonen — maroon check (@marvicleonen) April 17, 2020
Although more familiar with social media, Justice Leonen said it took them days to prepare “to get used to the software and hardware, sharing with each other our knowledge and skills.”
“We even did a dry run so we could be sure that no one will be left behind in the discussion because of the technology and the encrypted transfer of documents,” he said.
Took us days to prepare, to get used to the software and hardware, sharing with each other our knowledge and skills. We even did a dry run so we could be sure that no one will be left behind in the discussion because of the technology and the encrypted transfer of documents. https://t.co/kQ2DIrBLIi
— Marvic Leonen — maroon check (@marvicleonen) April 17, 2020
The last time the magistrates had a session was last March at the Supreme Court to discuss measures on how to protect court officials and staff from the rising infections of COVID-19 while at the same time keeping the courts functional.
READ: Courts nationwide to remain ‘physically closed;’ online filing of cases to continue
As the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office shared the screenshot online, some netizens said it was “cute.”
“Hangkyut po,” one netizen said while another called it the “zoom-preme court.”
One netizen said “the entire screen is composed of 15 facets of wisdom.”
A curious netizen asked: “Sino sa kanila ang may pinaka magandang background? Yung yayamanin style lol. Sino din ang photogenic sa kanila? Sino din kaya sa kanila ang naka short lang at tsinelas.”