MANILA, Philippines—Physical courts in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus will remain closed until April 18, the Supreme Court (SC) announced on Saturday (April 10).

Based on SC Administrative Circular no. 21-2021, all courts in the NCR Plus will continue to operate through videoconferencing and judges can conduct fully remote hearings online.

“Considering the unbated rise of COVID-19 cases, the requests of judges and court personnel, and upon the concurrence of the members of the court en banc; all the courts and judicial offices in the National Capital Judicial Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal shall remain physically closed until April 18,” the circular reads.

The SC said its offices in the NCR Plus can be reached via hotline and email addressed posted on its website.

Meanwhile, the time for filing and service of pleadings and motions during this period is suspended and shall resume “seven calendar days counted from the first day of physical reopening of the relevant court.” AAC

MANILA, Philippines – The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) announced it is now accepting applications and recommendations for the vacant Supreme Court Associate Justice post following the recent promotion of Alexander Gesmundo as Chief Justice.

In a document posted by the Supreme Court Public Information Office, the JBC said applications and recommendations for the said post, as well as the documentary requirements, will be accepted until May 10.

“Interested applicants must visit the official JBC website and access the online application scheduler between 8 a.m. and 12 midnight, not later than May 10,” the JBC said.

JBC ANNOUNCEMENT: Opening for application or recommendation of the position of Supreme Court Associate Justice (vice Hon. Alexander G. Gesmundo, who was appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice on 5 April 2021) https://t.co/VRSlrDZ2YN

— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) April 8, 2021

Among the documentary requirements that must be submitted are application letter or recommendation letter with conforme, Personal Data Sheet, transcript of law school records, PSA issued birth certificate, certificates of admission to the Bar with Bar rating, employment, clearances from the Office of the Ombudsman, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, medical exam results, income tax returns, and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

The JBC said that the digitized versions of the documentary requirements they will submit must be “complete” and “accurate.”

The JBC is a constitutional office that accepts, screens, and nominates appointments to the judiciary.

It will then submit a list of nominees to President Rodrigo Duterte for selection.

Duterte has 90 days from vacancy to appoint a new SC magistrate.

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday said that the next oral arguments on petitions questioning the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will be held virtually.

The SC Clerk of Court said the continuation of oral arguments will be conducted through videoconferencing with live audio streaming made available to the public.

“The technical details and the rules for the videoconferenced oral arguments pro hac vice shall be promulgated as soon as the Court En Banc is able to convene,” it said.

Oral Arguments on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, Republic Act No. 11479, to continue two weeks after the lifting of the ECQ in the NCJR, through videoconferencing with live audio streaming. #ATAOrals READ: pic.twitter.com/rQwUIgUm7C

— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) April 8, 2021

The Supreme Court earlier said that oral arguments on the anti-terror act will resume two weeks after the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine being enforced in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces.

Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal – collectively called NCR Plus – were initially placed under ECQ from March 29 to April 4 in a bid to curb the rise in COVID-19 cases.

The national government later extended the ECQ period to April 11.

The high court last held oral arguments session on March 2.

It previously suspended scheduled oral arguments on the anti-terrorism act due to COVID-related concerns.

The next session of proceedings will be presided by newly installed Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.