QC Hall of Justice on lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Hall of Justice (HOJ) is currently on lockdown after an employee who is suspected of having the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) died.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said he has approved the recommendation of the Quezon City Court’s Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert to place the building on lockdown.

“I approved the recommendation of the EJ (executive judge) to be on the safer side. Anyway, QC courts can do videocon hearings,” Marquez said.

He said the result of the employee’s COVID-19 has yet to be released.

Marquez added that the Executive Judge is conducting a fact-finding inquiry about the employee’s illness and if he or she visited the QC HOJ.

“Lockdown can be lifted today or tomorrow, depending on results of fact-findings being conducted by the EJ,” he added.

The executive judge is still confirming if the staff indeed went to the HOJ.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the parole and probation and field officer died of pneumonia last May 14, “but possibly COVID-related.” She was assigned to the QC Hall of Justice.

“The Judge concerned closed the courtroom and had it disinfected,” Guevarra said.

He said the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) office along NIA Road also in Quezon City was not closed since the staff does not report there.

The courts under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) are physically closed.

But the Supreme Court has issued guidelines allowing the conduct of hearings on criminal cases through video conferencing. The high court has also allowed the online filing of cases and petitions for bail.

GSG/EDV