Caloocan shuts judicial complex after staffer tests positive

MANILA, Philippines — The Caloocan City judicial complex would remain closed until further notice after a staffer of the Office of the City Prosecutor tested positive for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In his order on Wednesday, Executive Judge Victoriano Cabanos said that regional trial courts, metropolitan trial courts and offices of the clerk of court would reopen only after the result of the employee’s confirmatory swab test was released.

While the courts remain closed to everyone, electronic filing and hearings through video conferencing would continue, he added.

Ferdinand Valbuena, Caloocan chief prosecutor, explained that inquest proceedings in the judicial complex went on even under lockdown due to the daily apprehension of quarantine violators.

“Caloocan ranks third in terms of cities in Metro Manila with the highest number of inquest cases,” he said.

As a result, prosecutors and staffers had direct contact with arresting officers and suspects during inquest proceedings, putting them at risk of exposure to COVID-19, he added.

This prompted him to request that job order employees in the complex be tested for the coronavirus with the help of the Caloocan City Medical Center and Mayor Oscar Malapitan.

On Monday, it was confirmed that one of around 14 job order employees was found positive for COVID-19.

Valbuena asked for permission from Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento to enforce a lockdown while waiting for the confirmatory test results.