Lawyers wary of personally appearing in courts

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s lawyers and judges prefer not to go to court in person yet, while the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic persists.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has asked the Supreme Court to make court hearings via videoconference the “general rule” for the duration of the COVID-19 health crisis.

The IBP asked that court hearings, where litigants and their lawyers have to be physically present before the judge, should be resorted to only under “exceptional” circumstances.

In a letter to the Supreme Court, IBP national president Domingo Cayosa said going online would minimize the risk of contracting the virus, pointing out that many judges and litigation lawyers are senior citizens.

Courts nationwide reopened on June 1.

—Dona Z. Pazzibugan