Manila, Mandaluyong courts on lockdown for 14 days
MANILA, Philippines (Updated) – The old Ombudsman Building in Manila that houses several Regional and Metropolitan Trial Courts, as well as the Mandaluyong Hall of Justice, will be on lockdown for 14 days, beginning Monday, June 15 until June 29.
Manila Metropolitan Trial Court Executive Judge Carissa Anne Manook-Frondozo and Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court acting Executive Judge Ofelia L. Calo both issued separate memorandums ordering the lockdown.
Both memorandums stated that no one will be allowed entry inside the respective premises.
The executive judges required all judges and personnel to undergo self-quarantine.
Manook-Frondozo also said that the court officers should also conduct contact tracing of all the persons they have come in contact with at the court premises for the last two weeks.
“Should any person develop symptoms, please report your condition to your respective Barangay Health Worker and inform them as soon as possible,” she added.
Supreme Court’s Public Information Chief and Spokesman Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka said the lockdown was ordered after a public prosecutor in Mandaluyong who tested positive for COVID-19 was traced to have gone to the Old Ombudsman Building.
The prosecutor is related to a court officer holding office at the Old Ombudsman building.
Calo ordered the lockdown because the courts had in-court hearings which were attended by the public prosecutors since June 1, when the government reduced the health quarantine restrictions in Manila.
Hosaka clarified that affected court offices are only physically closed but will continue to function remotely.
Manook-Frondozo said the Office of the Court Administrator already gave permission for the affected courts to adopt the guidelines enacted for the Enhanced Community Quarantine such as video conferencing and accepting pleadings electronically.
The Manila City government, meanwhile, has scheduled a disinfection/sanitation of the court premises.
JE
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