MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday declared the physical closure of courts in the additional areas classified under Alert Levels 3 and 4 by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
According to the SC Office of the Court Administrator, the latest advisory, which is effective until January 31, covers the courts in Apayao (Cordillera region); Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Mimaropa); Masbate (Bicol); Siquijor (Central Visayas); Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay (Zamboanga Peninsula); Lanao del Norte (Northern Mindanao); Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental (Davao region); North Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat (Soccsksargen); Surigao del Norte (Caraga); and Maguindanao and Basilan (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao).
Courts in Kalinga, Ifugao, and Mountain Province will remain closed as a result of the Alert Level 4 classification.
In earlier directives, the SC said courts affected by the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections and ordered physically closed may still be contacted through official e-mail addresses and may conduct video conferences.
On urgent matters, such as inquests, bail petitions, promulgations of acquittals, or dismissals in criminal cases, online hearings may proceed while all pleadings and submission deadlines due until January 31 will be extended to February 1.
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