THE Supreme Court on Thursday announced that all courts in Metro Manila and other areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) would remain physically closed until May 31.
In his Administrative Circular 39-2020, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said all official meetings, seminars, trainings and other functions in the judiciary within the MECQ areas are also deferred until after May 31, unless conducted through videoconferencing and except those that may be called or authorized by the Chief Justice or by the Judiciary Task Force on Covid-19.
However, civil weddings are now allowed to be solemnized provided that the number of witnesses and guests shall not exceed to five persons.
Peralta said the SC would continue to hold special en banc and division sessions anytime it deem necessary, either in person, or through videoconferencing.
SC would extend its decision-writing period until May 31 while all chiefs of offices and services are required to devise and develop their respective work from home (WFH) schemes and operating procedures from May 18 to 29.
The chief magistrate said all court personnel should be given certain tasks to effectively and efficiently implement their offices’ mandates during WFH scheme.
The High Court would also continue to receive petitions and pleadings electronically.
Peralta issued the circular in line with the announcement of Malacañang placing Metro Manila, Laguna and Cebu City under MECQ because they are considered as “high risk” for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) until the end of the month.