Re: Extension of Work Suspension in the Supreme Court (SC)

January 5, 2022

SUPREME COURT MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 3-2022

RE: EXTENSION OF WORK SUSPENSION IN THE SUPREME COURT (SC)

Considering the latest report of the Medical and Dental Services (MDS) that the administration of antigen testing on all Court personnel, as well as employees of service providers of the SC, has not yet been completed, and it appearing further in the same report that there is a high positivity rate of those already tested, it was recommended that the work suspension in the SC be extended until Saturday, January 8, 2022, so that further contact tracing may be conducted on other employees who were in close physical contact with those infected.

Accordingly, upon consultation with the Court En Banc, the aforesaid recommendation is hereby approved. Work in the SC is further suspended until January 8, 2022, to pave the way for the massive antigen testing and contact tracing. All Court personnel and employees of SC service providers who have not yet undergone the antigen testing are directed to proceed to the SC testing center on or before January 8, 2022.

Concerned personnel of the Office of the Bar Chair and Office of the Bar Confidant who are involved in the 2020/2021 bar examinations, Office of the Administrative Services-SC, MDS and Receiving Section of the Judicial Records Office who are involved in e-filing, are still required to report on-site. Chiefs of other offices/services may require a number of limited staff, who must not have any of the slightest symptoms of infection of the COVID-19 virus, to physically report on-site to attend to urgent matters pending in their offices/services.

For purposes of the testing and for those will be required to report on-site, SC shuttle buses and other available SC utility vehicles will be dispatched to ferry them to and from the office.

The modified working arrangement under Memorandum Order No. 1-2022 shall accordingly take effect on January 10, 2022. Everyone is mandated to present his/her negative antigen result slip when entering the Court premises on said date.

For strict compliance.

Manila, Philippines, January 5, 2022.

(SGD.) ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDOChief Justice