THE Supreme Court (SC) suspended all court activities starting 12 noon on Thursday, December 29, 2022, until Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
In a memorandum, Acting Chief Justice Marvic Leonen said the suspension of court operations starting the afternoon of December 29 was decided to give parties, litigants and court personnel sufficient time to attend to personal engagements and make the appropriate travel arrangements to celebrate the New Year.
However, the suspension of afternoon work for December 29 will not apply to court personnel who need to process bails, orders of releases or other writs of liberty, those that need to serve protection orders within the day, or those attending to other urgent matters at the discretion of judges and justices concerned.
Furthermore, the Court said court activities at all levels will also be suspended on January 2, 2023 in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s issuance of Proclamation No. 90, which declared January 2, 2021 as a special (non-working) day throughout the country.
All court operations will resume on January 3, 2023.
“Amid the frenetic pace of the holiday season, do make sure to carve out some time for yourself and prioritize self-care. Practice kindness at all times, especially to yourself,” Justice Leonen stressed.
“Spend this additional time to reflect on and learn from the year that had just passed while, at the same time, preparing yourself for a fresh start. Help others who are less privileged,” he added.