SC extends deadline for submission of pleadings

Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. (File photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Supreme Court has given lawyers and litigants additional time to submit their pleadings in court following Typhoon “Odette” (international name: Rai).

In an administrative circular dated Dec. 20, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said the deadline for the filing of petitions and similar court submissions would be suspended from Dec. 20 until Jan. 3, 2022.

“The filing periods of any and all pleadings … that fell or would fall during the said period are hereby extended for seven calendar days counted from Jan. 4, 2022,” Gesmundo said.

In a similar circular, Deputy Court Administrator Raul Villanueva also moved the filing period in all lower courts nationwide until Jan. 10, 2022.

He noted that power and communications were down in areas battered by Odette and that many halls of justice were damaged.

Meanwhile, Villanueva said work in all trial courts would be suspended from Dec. 24 until Dec. 31. —Marlon Ramos