The IATF has released the list of areas or provinces under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) [Update: quarantine classifications from 1 to 15 June 2020]. Given this development, the Supreme Court released the guidelines for provinces/areas under GCQ (Administrative Circular No. 40-2020 for 16-31 May 2020, citing Administrative Circular No. 36-2020 for 1-15 May 2020) and MECQ (Administrative Circular No. 39-2020 for 16-31 May 2020). This post is a consolidation/summary of the two circulars, updated as of 15 May 2020. 

HEARINGS

All courts in areas under MECQ shall remain physically closed to all court users until 31 May 2020. In-court hearings remain suspended. However, trial courts may conduct hearings by videoconferencing. 

For all courts in GCQ areas, hearings may be conducted either in-court or through videoconferencing. For in-court hearings, the health hygiene protocols and other public medical standards, e.g., wearing of face masks and face shields, subjecting everyone to a no-contact thermal scanning, and observance of social distancing, shall be strictly observed.  

As of 15 May 2020, the following areas are under MECQ: (a) entire National Capital Region; (b) Laguna Province; and (c) Cebu City. These MECQ areas are expressly mentioned in the Administrative Circular No. 39-2020. On the other hand, Administrative Circular No. 40-2020 does not enumerate the areas under GCQ. Based on the current list of the IATF, all other non-MECQ areas are GCQ areas.

DEADLINES

In both MECQ and GCQ areas, the filing of petitions, appeals, complaints, motions, pleadings and other court submissions that fall due up to 31 May 2020 is extended for 30 calendar days, counted from 1 June 2020. Nevertheless, parties may choose to file pleadings and other court submissions through electronic means, if preferred and able. 

[See also Pilot Testing of Hearings of Criminal Cases involving Persons Deprived of Liberty through Videoconferencing]

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P&L Law

Pamaos & Labao Law Firm (P&L Law) is a full-service professional legal firm, located in Metro Manila, Philippines | Telephone: (+632) 7799-0589 | Email: info@pnl-law.com | Website: http://pnl-law.com

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