Reiteration of OCA Circular No. 114-2021, Dated 20 August 2021
OCA Circular No. 117-2021, issued on August 28, 2021, reiterates that courts in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) will remain physically closed to court users until September 7, 2021. During this period, courts will operate online and conduct videoconferencing for urgent matters such as bail applications and protection orders. The filing and service of pleadings and motions are suspended, with a resumption scheduled for seven days after physical court reopening. Essential judicial offices will maintain minimal staff to address urgent concerns, and prior directives regarding court operations under different quarantine conditions will continue to apply.
Law Information
- Reference Number
- OCA Circular No. 117-2021
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Supreme Court Issuances
- Subcategory
- Office of the Court Administrator Circulars
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
August 28, 2021
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 117-2021
| TO | : | All Justices of the Appellate Collegiate Courts, Judges of the Second and First Level Courts, Court Personnel Thereof, and Court Users |
| RE | : | Reiteration of OCA Circular No. 114-2021, Dated 20 August 2021 |
Considering that the National Capital Region (NCR) and other identified areas shall remain under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until 7 September 2021, upon instructions of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, OCA Circular No. 114-2021, dated 20 August 2021, is hereby reiterated. HTcADC
All courts in the NCR and identified areas under MECQ, except the Supreme Court, shall be PHYSICALLY CLOSED to court users for the duration of the MECQ. They shall continue to operate online and conduct videoconferencing hearings only for urgent incidents and cases, such as, but not limited to, applications for bail, releases due to dismissal of cases or acquittal, habeas corpus, applications for temporary protection orders for Violence Against Women and Children cases, and analogous circumstances. The said courts may be reached through their respective hotlines and email addresses as posted in the Supreme Court website.
The time for filing and service of pleadings and motions during this period is SUSPENDED and shall resume after seven (7) calendar days counted from the first day of the physical reopening of the relevant court.
The essential judicial offices in all courts in areas under MECQ shall maintain the necessary skeleton staff to attend to all URGENT matters and concerns.
The pertinent provisions of Administrative Circular No. 56-2021 concerning courts and judicial offices in areas under different community quarantines shall likewise remain in force.
For the guidance and compliance of all concerned.
(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZCourt Administrator
Cite This Law
Reiteration of OCA Circular No. 114-2021, Dated 20 August 2021, OCA Circular No. 117-2021, Aug 28, 2021 (Philippines)
Reiteration of OCA Circular No. 114-2021, Dated 20 August 2021, OCA Circular No. 117-2021 (Phil. 2021)
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