As NCR reverts to ECQ, Gesmundo orders closure of all courts from August 2 to 20

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has ordered all courts in Metro Manila to be physically closed from August 2 to 20.

In an administrative circular dated July 30, the chief magistrate explained that he made the decision after the government placed the National Capital Region (NCR) “under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions from 30 July 2021 to 5 August 2021, and under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from 6 to 20 August 2021” to avert the possible surge of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus.

“However, they shall continue to operate online and conduct videoconferencing hearings only for urgent incidents and cases, such as, but not limited to, applications for bail, releases due to dismissal of cases or acquittal, habeas corpus, applications for temporary protection orders for Violence Against Women and Children cases, and analogous circumstances,” Gesmundo said.

“The time for filing and service of pleadings and motions during this period is suspended and shall resume seven calendar days counter from the first of the physical reopening of the relevant court,” he added.

Gesmundo said his directive will also apply to courts and judicial offices outside Metro Manila that have been placed under ECQ and modified ECQ (MECQ) from August 2 until further notice.

While, courts and judicial offices outside the NCR that are under GCQ and modified GCQ (MGCQ) “shall be physically open during this period with an in-court skeleton workforce in-court of at least twenty-five (25%) to at most fifty percent (50%).”

“It is understood that those do not belong to this skeleton workforce shall be working from home,” he said.

“With notice to the Office of the Court Administrator, all judges of the first and second level courts may continue to conduct fully-remote videoconferencing hearings, regardless of the community quarantine classification and physical location within the country, until further notice, pursuant to OCA Circular No. 67-2021,” he added.

Gesmundo also instructed all courts nationwide to “act within twenty-four hours from the time of the petition or motion is filed in urgent and exceptional cases, or or acquittal, habeas corpus, application for temporary and permanent protection for Violence Against Women and Children cases, and Anologous circumstances.”

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