Courts in NCR, provinces within bubble ‘physically’ closed Friday – SC

MANILA, Philippines—Courts in the National Capital Region and neighboring provinces within the bubble will be physically closed on Friday.

“In view of the rising cases of Covid-19 in the National Capital Region and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta orders the closure of physical courts and court offices in the NCJR (National Capital Judicial Region) and in the nearby provinces,” read the Supreme Court’s statement.

The Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan are among the courts closed since Thursday afternoon.

All hearings shall be suspended during the closure except on urgent matters such as petitions, motions, and other related pleadings on bail, habeas corpus, the promulgation of judgments of acquittals and other reliefs for those arrested and detained.

On whether the physical closure of courts can be extended up to next week, high court’s Public Information Chief and Spokesperson Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka said, “Chief Justice [Diosdado] Peralta could only order the physical closure of the courts until March 26.”

Peralta retires on March 27.

abc