MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has reminded first and second-level courts not to present evidence showing photographs and recordings of sexual abuse during videoconference hearings.
“Taking into paramount consideration the welfare of women and children, all judges and branch clerks of court of the first and second level courts are hereby directed to ensure that evidence containing sensitive photographs and recordings, including sexual abuse images and sound recordings involving women and children, shall only be presented through in-court proceedings and not through videoconferencing,” stated in the OCA Circular 136 signed by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez.
Marquez added that the judges and branch clerks of the lower courts are expected to strictly comply with the circular.
The High Court has been very particular in protecting the identities of parties in sensitive cases.
In 2017, an administrative circular was issued to observe confidentiality regarding names of parties in court orders, decisions, resolutions in cases like rape, child abuse, human trafficking, among others.
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