Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued guidelines on the interruption of periods related to the filing of appeals with the Office of the Secretary and suspension of rendition of judgments and other actions. The guidelines are contained in DTI Memorandum Circular No. 20-20 dated 27 April 2020.
SUSPENSION/EXTENSION OF PERIODS
The filing of appeals, pleadings and all other papers, with the Office of the Secretary, shall be interrupted for the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Parties are given an extension of fifteen (15) days from the lifting of the ECQ to file their respective pleadings, appeals and other papers.
Likewise, the rendition of judgments, resolutions, and orders are suspended during the ECQ. All motions, notices, pleadings and other appeals-related filings received within the ECQ shall be given due course upon resumption of regular business operations.
COVERAGE
The guidelines apply to all appeals and other ancillary pleadings filed before the Office of the Secretary relative to cases involving violations of the Consumer Act, as well as other trade and industry laws. The ECQ is deemed to include the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and local community quarantines declared in accordance with IATF guidelines.
EXCEPTIONS
The suspension/extension does not apply to urgent cases which are necessary to enable the government to act expeditiously on matters affecting the current public health emergency.
- Extension of Filing Periods and Suspension of Hearings for March 29 to April 4, 2021: SC Administrative Circular No. 14-2021 (Full Text) - March 28, 2021
- ECQ Bubble for NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal: Resolution No. 106-A (Full Text) - March 27, 2021
- Guidelines on the Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines in the Workplaces (Labor Advisory No. 3) - March 12, 2021