Suspension of OCA Circular No. 61-2020 on the Issuance of Clearance Certificates Pursuant to A.M. No. 04-7-02-SC (Guidelines on Corporate Surety Bonds)
OCA Circular No. 23-2021 suspends the enforcement of OCA Circular No. 61-2020, which related to the issuance of clearance certificates for surety companies, due to ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Clerks of Court are instructed to revert to the procedures that were in place before the issuance of Circular No. 61-2020. Prior to issuing clearance certificates, clerks must ensure that surety companies in their jurisdiction have no outstanding obligations related to forfeited bonds. This suspension will remain in effect until further notice.
February 11, 2021
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 23-2021
| TO | : | All Concerned Clerks of Court (Executive Clerks of Court, Office of the Clerks of Court and Branch Clerks of Court) |
| SUBJECT | : | Suspension of OCA Circular No. 61-2020 on the Issuance of Clearance Certificates Pursuant to A.M. No. 04-7-02-SC (Guidelines on Corporate Surety Bonds) |
Considering the persistent challenges that the surety companies encounter in securing clearances from the lower courts nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, compliance with OCA Circular No. 61-2020 dated 14 February 2020 is hereby SUSPENDED until further notice. The procedure being followed prior to the issuance of the said circular shall be observed.
All Clerks of Court, however, are directed to ensure, before issuing clearance certificates, that all surety companies transacting business in their respective areas of jurisdiction have no outstanding obligations pertaining to forfeited bonds.
For strict compliance.
(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZCourt Administrator