Given the reported infection of some Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) to COVID-19 in different detention facilities, there is a serious need to further restrain the movement and travel of court users, PDLs, judges an court personnel to further reduce the spread of the dreaded infectious disease.
With this in mind, the Supreme Court issued Administrative Circular No. 37-2020, providing for pilot testing of hearings of criminal cases involving PDLs through videoconferencing. The SC emphasized that these hearings in criminal cases through videoconferencing are ONLY for PILOT TESTING and shall apply ONLY during the public health emergency period.
The pilot rules shall apply to all PDLs and may apply to all states of trial of newly-filed and pending criminal cases, including but not limited to, arraignment, pre-trial, bail hearings, trial proper, and promulgation and judgment.
AREAS COVERED
NCR
All court stations in the National Capital Judicial Region.
LUZON
- Region I – La Trinidad, Benguet; Baguio City; and Dagupan City, Pangasinan
- Region II – Ilagan, Isabela; Santiago City; Cabagan, Isabel; Roxas, Isabela; and Lubuagan, Kalinga
- Region III – Olongapo City; Balanga City; Mariveles, Bataan; Gapan City; Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija; San Fernando, Pampanga; Guagua, Pampanga; Angeles City; and Capas, Tarlac
- Region IV – Tanuan, Batangas; Balayan, Batangas; Nasugbu, Batangas; Rosario, Batangas; Tagaytay City; Trece Martires, Cavite; Imus, Cavite; Naic, Cavite; San Pablo City; Calamba, Laguna; Lucena City; Gumaca, Quezon; Binangonan, Rizal; San Mateo, Rizal; Morong, Rizal; Antipolo City; Boac, Marinduque; Calapan City; Puerto Princesa, Palawan
- Region V – Legazpi City; Naga City; Sorsogon City
VISAYAS
- Region VI – Iloilo City; Bacolod City; San Jose, Antique; San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
- Region VII – Cebu City; Lapu Lapu City; Mandaue City; Dumaguete City; Tanjay City
- Region VIII – Tacloban City; Ormoc City
MINDANAO
- Region IX – Dipolog City; Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; Zamboanga City; Pagadian City; Isabela City, Basilan; Jolo, Sulu
- Region X – Cagayan de Oro City; Surigao City; Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
- Region XI – Tandag City; Digos City; General Santos City; Koronadal City; Polomolok City; and Alabel, Sarangani
- Region XII – Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao; Marawi City; Iligan City; Kidapawan City and Midsayap, North Cotabato
The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) is directed to issue the necessary directives and take the necessary steps to implement the pilot testing.
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