Amendment to Section 14, Chapter V, of Guidelines on the Selection and Appointment of Executive Judges and Defining Their Powers, Prerogatives and Duties (Action on Petition for Bail and Other Urgent Matters on Saturdays, Sundays, Official Holidays and Special Days)

May 10, 2022

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 102-2022

 

In accordance with the Resolution dated 29 March 2022 in A.M. No. 03-8-02-SC(Re: Guidelines on the Selection and Designation of Executive Judges and Defining their Powers, Prerogatives and Duties), the Court En BancRESOLVED to AMEND the subject guidelines, as approved in the resolution dated 27 January 2004, particularly Section 14, Chapter V, thereof, the full text of which is reproduced as follows:

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Section 14. Action on petitions for bail and other urgent matters on Saturdays, Sundays, official holidays and special days. — Executive Judges of the RTCs with multiple branches shall assign by rotation the judges of the said branches to report for duty on Saturdays from eight o'clock in the morning to one o'clock in the afternoon, assisted by a skeleton workforce of three personnel, also on rotation, primarily to act on petitions for bail and other urgent matters.

The Executive Judge of the MeTC and MTCCs with multiple branches shall assign by rotation the judges of the said branches to report for duty on Saturday from eight o'clock in the morning to one o'clock in the afternoon, assisted by a skeleton workforce of three personnel, also on rotation, primarily to act on petitions for bail and other urgent matters.

Executive Judges of the RTCs shall also assign by rotation the judges of the MTCs in multiple-branch stations and MCTCs within their respective territorial areas to report for duty on Saturdays from eight o'clock in the morning to one o'clock in the afternoon, assisted by a skeleton workforce of the personnel, also on rotation, primarily to act on petitions for bail and other urgent matters.

The Executive Judges shall act on petitions for bail and other urgent matters on Saturday afternoons after one o'clock in the afternoon, Sundays, official holidays and special days. Should bail be granted and the applicant deposits cash as bail, the Executive Judge shall acknowledge in writing and issue a temporary receipt therefor and shall remit immediately the amount received to the Clerk of Court who shall issue the appropriate official receipt therefor on the next succeeding business day. (Amendment supplied)

Any prior circular from the Office of the Court Administrator on this matter which is contrary to the foregoing is hereby deemed superseded.

This Circular takes effect immediately.

For your information, guidance, and strict compliance.

(SGD.) RAUL BAUTISTA VILLANUEVACourt Administrator