Manila judges told to be ‘lenient’ to late parties in hearings

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 11 years ago

Thousands of people thronged to various areas in Manila such as Quiapo, Quezon Boulevard and Liwasang Bonifacio to avail themselves of health care provided by the Iglesia ni Cristo’s medical mission. Video by INQUIRER.net’s Matikas Santos

Supreme Court spokesperson and Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Office of the Court Administrator called on Manila judges to observe leniency to parties and counsels, who might come in late or fail to attend their scheduled hearings due to huge humanitarian mission of Iglesia ni Cristo.

“Considering that some Manila judges are already in their respective courtrooms, as well as some litigants, and upon consultation with the Executive Judge of Manila, the Manila judges are advised to be lenient with respect to the attendance of the parties and counsel in their scheduled hearings today,” Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said in a text message Monday.

The Office of the Court Administrator has supervision over some 2,000 justices and judges of first and second level courts and about 27,000 court personnel.

The medical mission is being conducted in Manila. Some schools have suspended classes expecting heavy traffic in the area.