SC extends ‘physical’ closure of courts in Metro Manila, nearby provinces
MANILA, Philippines — Courts in Metro Manila and nearby provinces will remain closed on Monday, March 29 until the end of Holy Week, the Supreme Court announced Saturday.
“In view of the alarming surge of COVID-19 cases and upon consultation with the members of the Court En Banc, as well as the heads of the concerned offices, the physical closure of all courts and court offices (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and trial courts) in the National Capital Judicial Region, and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal,” the High Court’s statement read.
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, other reliefs for those arrested and detained, as well as related actions that may be filed in relation to measures imposed at the local or national levels to address the declared health emergency, the Supreme Court said.
The Supreme Court previously announced the all courts in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces were closed on Friday, March 26.
