Due to ECQ: SC extends closure of courts in NCR Plus bubble until April 11

By James Hernandez

The Supreme Court (SC) has decided to extend the physical closure of courts in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces.

“In light of the further extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal from April 5 to April 11, 2021, and upon consultation with the members of the Court En Banc, the physical Closure of all courts and court offices (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and trial courts) in the National Capital Judicial Region, and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal is hearby edxtended from April 5 to April 11, 2021,” read the circular issued by Acting Chief Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe.

During the period, Bernabe said hearings in these courts are suspended except for urgent matters such as petitions, motions and pleadings in relation to bail and habeas corpus, promulgation of judgments of acquittal, reliefs for those who may be arrested and detained during this period, and other related actions that may be filed in relation to measures imposed at the local or national levels to address the declared health emergency.

“Court actions in these courts which are not urgent that are scheduled during the said period are also suspended and shall be rescheduled,” said Bernabe.

“Likewise, the filing periods of pleadings and other court submissions that fell due or would fall due during the period beginning from March 29 to April 11, 2021 are hereby extended for seven calendar days, counter from April 12, 2021,” she added.

The magistrate also directed these courts “to maintain a skeleton staff, as may be necessary, to attend to all urgent matters, including the payment of salaries, during this period.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)