All Manila RTC judges, court personnel to undergo self-quarantine

A Manila Regional Trial Court inside the Manila City Hall ready for in-court hearings after the government eased health restrictions in NCR. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–All Regional Trial Court judges and court personnel stationed at the Manila City Hall will undergo self-quarantine beginning June 18 until June 30.

A memorandum was issued Thursday by Manila RTC Executive Judge Virgilio Macaraig after two court employees came in contact with close relatives who were found positive for COVID-19.

“All judges and court employees affected are advised to avoid contact with the public and to conduct tracing of all persons they may have in contact with at the court premises for the last two weeks,” Macaraig stated in the memo.

Copy of the memo from Manila RTC Executive Judge Virgilio Macaraig.

He said affected courts may conduct hearings through video conferencing and accept pleadings electronically during the period of the quarantine using as a guideline the circulars issued by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, all judges have the discretion to proceed or not with in-court hearings scheduled today (June 18).

Macaraig added that the City Government of Manila has been requested to conduct disinfection and sanitation of the court premises located at the Manila City Hall.

CFC