Work is still suspended today, Thursday, July 25, at the Supreme Court (SC), the Court of Appeals (CA), Sandiganbayan, Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), and all trial courts in the National Capital Region.
Also, there will be no work today in all trial courts in Region III – Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales – and in Region IV-A – Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
In the case of trial courts outside the three regions, the SC said executive judges should comply with the 2023 guidelines on the suspension of court operations.
Trial courts are the regional trial court (RTC), municipal trial court (MTC), municipal circuit trial court (MCTC), municipal trial court in cities (MTCC), and metropolitan trial court (MeTC).
The suspension of work in the courts in the three regions was ordered by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo in line with the directive issued by the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) which suspended work in government offices and classes at all levels in the three regions.
The OES said the suspension was made "in view of the continuous rainfall brought about by the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon 'Carina,' and to aid in the rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector."
It said that agencies involved in delivering basic and health services, preparing or responding to disasters and calamities, and performing other vital services in the three regions will continue their operations and render the necessary services.
It also said the suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.
Work suspension in the SC was contained in a memorandum issued by Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Maria Carina A. Matammu Cunanan on instruction of Chief Justice Gesmundo.
In the case of the trial courts, the SC – through Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva – said that despite the suspension of work, “the courts and offices in Regions III and IV-A and in the NCR should be accessible to lawyers, court users, and litigants through their hotline numbers and/or official email address.”
“Also, as far as practicable, those affected by the said suspension should be notified thereof,” Villanueva’s circular to trial court judges also stated.
At the same time, the SC directed the trial court judges to “check on the condition or status of their court premises or Halls of Justice to determine or conduct any required clean-up operation or repair/rehabilitation work.”