[ ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 15-2021, April 03, 2021 ]

[ ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 15-2021, April 03, 2021 ]

[ ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 15-2021, April 03, 2021 ]

TO: ALL LITIGANTS, JUSTICES, JUDGES, PERSONNEL OF THE JUDICIARY, AND MEMBERS OF THE BAR

RE: EXTENSION OF THE PHYSICAL CLOSURE OF COURTS AND THE FILING PERIODS FOR PLEADINGS AND OTHER COURT SUBMISSIONS IN LIGHT OF THE FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE FROM APRIL 5 TO APRIL 11, 2021

In light of the further extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal from April 5 to April 11, 2021, and upon consultation with the members of the Court En Banc , the physical closure of all courts and court offices (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan , and trial courts) in the National Capital Judicial Region, and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal is hereby EXTENDED from April 5 to April 11, 2021 . As such, all hearings in these courts during the said period, except on URGENT matters (such as but not limited to petitions, 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 . Court actions in these courts which are not urgent that are scheduled during the said period are also SUSPENDED and shall be rescheduled.

Likewise, the filing periods of pleadings and other court submissions that fell due or would fall due during the period beginning from March 29 to April 11, 2021 are hereby EXTENDED for seven (7) calendar days, counted from April 12, 2021. Accordingly, Administrative Circular No. 14-2021 is hereby MODIFIED in this respect. However, lawyers/litigants may file their pleadings/court submissions on URGENT matters during this period in accordance with the procedure stated in Administrative Circular No. 14-2021.

The respective heads of offices within these courts are directed to maintain a skeleton staff, as may be necessary, to attend to all URGENT matters, including the payment of salaries, during this period.

All prior issuances not inconsistent herewith shall remain valid and in effect.

April 3, 2021

(SGD.) ESTELA M. PERLAS-BERNABE Acting Chief Justice