Guidelines on the Conduct of Videoconferencing with Respect to Remote Appearance from Abroad

November 3, 2021

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 133-2021

 

In OCA Circular Nos. 18-2021, dated 1 February 2021, and 56-2021, dated 5 May 2021, the implementation of the Guidelines on the Conduct of Videoconferencing1 with respect to remote appearance from abroad was suspended until 1 April 2021 and 30 June 2021, respectively, upon the request of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., due to the "need to consider concerns raised by [the] various Foreign Service Posts," such as the "extraterritorial application of Philippine laws" and "operational concerns by reasons of COVID-19 and other circumstances."

Considering that the two (2) moratoriums have lapsed, motions for videoconferencing from Philippine embassies or consulates may now be acted upon, provided "that the concerned embassy or consulate of the Philippines has allowed the use of its facilities for videoconferencing," pursuant to Item IV (3), A.M. No. 20-12-01-SC, 2 taking into account their views on the applicable laws and regulations of, and agreement with, their respective host countries, and operational concerns by reason of COVID-19 and other circumstances. In any case, the videoconferencing hearings must be scheduled during the working hours of the Philippine courts, with proper coordination with the concerned embassy or consulate, at the expense of the moving party, if any.

For your information and guidance.

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZCourt Administrator

 

Footnotes

1. A.M. No. 20-12-01-SC, dated 9 December 2020.

2.Id.