Work in all courts – including the Supreme Court (SC) and the appellate courts – in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region IV-A (Calabarzon) is suspended on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

The suspension of work was authorized by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and relayed to the affected courts by Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva.

Earlier, Malacanang had suspended classes at all levels and government work in the NCR and Calabarzon “due to the ongoing rains caused by Tropical Storm Enteng.”

While work is suspended, Villanueva’s circular stated that “still, the courts and offices in Region IV-A and the NCR should be accessible to lawyers, court users, and litigants through their respective hotline numbers and email addresses.”

“Also, and as far as practicable, those affected by the said suspension should be notified thereof,” the circular also stated.

In areas outside of the NCR and Region IV-A, executive judges and presiding judges should conform with the rules in the suspension of work.

The circular also directed trial court judges and clerks of courts in the areas where work is suspended “to observe the protocols on disaster reportorial and response mechanisms.”

Trial court judges were also directed “to monitor 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.”