Courts in Metro Manila will remain physically closed until the end of September, the Supreme Court said Tuesday even as the capital region prepares to shift to the more relaxed GCQ with granular lockdowns.
Except for the Supreme Court, all tribunals in the capital region will operate virtually, high court administrator Jose Midas Marquez said in a memorandum, citing the "confirmed surge of COVID-19 cases in different variants" and the pilot testing of granular lockdowns.
"Metro Manila courts however should continue to operate online and conduct videoconferencing hearings on pending cases and all other matters to avoid a delay in trial of cases and other court processes," the memorandum read.
Filing and service of pleadings and motions in Metro Manila courts are suspended too until Sept. 30 and would resume after seven calendar days from the first day of physical reopening of the court unless ordered otherwise by the court.
All other courts across the country in MECQ areas will remain closed while those in GCQ and MGCQ areas can operate physically at limited capacities with the exemption of the capital region.
The government has chosen the metropolis to serve as the pilot testing area for granular or local lockdowns until Sept. 30 as part of its new strategy against COVID-19.
Malacañang earlier said the country is working on veering away from large-scale lockdowns to salvage the economy dragged down by the pandemic.
Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.
