Executive judges given discretion to suspend work due to Taal Volcano phreatic eruption
By Rey Panaligan
Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, January 12, gave executive judges in areas affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas the discretion to suspend work on Monday, January 13.
Peralta said the executive judges should “exercise prudence and sound discretion” in suspending work “to give both court personnel and litigants ample time to take necessary precaution and ensure safety.”
The Chief Justice also said: “Should the executive judges suspend work, they are also advised to secure the halls of justice, court facilities and equipment, including court records.”
Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) had raised the Alert Level 4 over Taal Volcano. Alert Level 4 means that “hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.”
In its 7:30 p.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said “eruptive activity at Taal Volcano Main Crater intensified as continuous eruption generated a tall 10-15-kilometer steam-laden tephra column with frequent volcanic lightning that rained wet ashfall on the general north as far as Quezon City.”
READ MORE: Taal alert level 4 up after phreatic eruption