All courts in the National Capital Region (NCR) will still be physically closed even if the region has been placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) with Alert Level 4 starting Sept. 16.
In an Administrative Circular, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said all NCR courts will continue to operate online and conduct video conferencing hearings on pending cases.
Courts may be reached through their hotlines and email addresses as posted in the SC website – sc.judiciary.gov.ph.
The circular stated that essential judicial offices, like the offices of the clerks of court, should maintain the necessary skeleton staff to address all urgent matters and concerns.
The “no personal filing” policy in the SC, “unless for exceptionally urgent matters and only after having been properly communicated and cleared with the proper office” is further extended until further notice.
At least 15 percent workforce in essential SC offices is still enforced, except in the offices of the Chief Justice and the associate justices.
“The time for filing and service of pleadings and motions during the period (that trial courts are physically closed) remains suspended and shall resume after seven calendar days counted from the first day of the physical re-opening of the relevant court, unless otherwise expressly ordered by the relevant court which shall consider the physical closure of the courts and the granular lockdown in the different areas,” the circular also stated.
Alert Level 4 is the second highest alert in the fight against COVID-19.
The government said that NCR is at high-risk case classification as it maintains a moderate risk two-week growth rate and high-risk average daily attack rate.
Also, it said that NCR has a high-risk intensive care utilization rate at 77.5 percent while bed utilization is near high-risk classification at 69.5 per cent.
Under the guidelines, travel for minors, senior citizens aged 65 and above, persons with comorbidities, and pregnant women is prohibited under Alert Level 4.