THE Supreme Court has extended the physical closure of all courts and court offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) and its nearby provinces following the government’s decision to extend for another week the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) being implemented in these areas due a spike in Covid-19 infections.
In Administrative Circular 15-021 issued by Acting Chief Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, the Court said the order would take effect on April 5 to April 11, 2021 covering the NCR and nearby provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
“As such, all hearings in these courts during the said period, except on urgent matters (such as but not limited to petitioners, 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 during this period) are suspended,” the SC said.
“Court actions in these courts which are not urgent that are scheduled during the said period are also suspended and shall be rescheduled,” the administrative circular stated.
The Court earlier decided to close all courts and court offices from March 27 until the Holy Week following the decision of the government to impose ECQ anew in NCR and its nearby provinces to address the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases.
The SC said the filing periods of pleadings and other court submissions that fall due or would fall due during the period March 29 to April 11, 2021 would be extended for seven days, from April 12, 2021.
“However, lawyers and litigants may file their pleadings/court submission on urgent matters during this period in accordance with the procedure stated in Administrative Circular 14-2021,” the Court added.
The Court directed the heads of court offices to maintain a skeleton staff to attend to urgent matters, including payment of salaries, during this period.
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