Bersamin to courts: Handle poll cases ‘with utmost caution and dispatch’

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MANILA, Philippines–Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Friday reminded all executive judges and clerks of court of second and first level courts to be prepared on Monday to act on all election matters within their jurisdiction.

Bersamin also cautioned the court officials and employees to resolve all election-related cases “with utmost caution and dispatch.”

But for the rest of the courts, it will be a work suspension pursuant to Proclamation No. 719, series of 2019, declaring May 13, 2019 as a special (non-working) holiday.

In the absence of a judge, under Circular No. 05-2019, the executive judge may designate the vice-executive judge or any of the judges in the station.

In vacant single sala Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) where the court of the acting presiding judge is very far from the court concerned, any urgent election matter shall be referred for appropriate action by the clerk of the court to the executive judge of the nearest court or station. In the case of vacant Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs), Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCCs), Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs), and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs), the election matter shall be referred to the presiding judge of the nearest court or to the executive judge, whichever is nearer.

The Clerk of Court in the Office of the Clerk of Court shall maintain a skeletal force in the office to attend to the collection of court fees and to receive cash bonds or any other bonds that may be posted for election offenses. (Editor: Abe Cerojano)