SC allows work-from-home, online hearings for quake-hit courts

The Supreme Court has allowed courts in provinces affected by recent strong earthquakes to implement work-from-home arrangements for their personnel and conduct proceedings via videoconferencing.

In a memorandum issued by Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta, courts in Cebu City; Iloilo City; Roxas City; Bogo City; Argao and Borbon-Tabugon in Cebu province; Baganga, Davao Oriental; and Laak, Davao de Oro are authorized to adopt these arrangements starting 20 October 2025.

The memorandum states that videoconferencing should be used for urgent judicial matters such as applications for bail, writs of habeas corpus, marriage solemnization, and other similar proceedings.

All official hotlines, emails, and communication channels are directed to remain active and responsive to ensure uninterrupted judicial services.

The measure aims to protect the welfare of judges and court personnel while maintaining the continuous delivery of essential judicial functions.

Once suitable relocation sites or temporary offices are identified, courts are instructed to maintain a skeleton workforce to retrieve records and other important documents from damaged courthouses, under the supervision of presiding judges and clerks of court.

The work suspension in Branches 5 to 10 of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities in Iloilo City has also been lifted.

The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) further directed the Office of the Regional Court Manager in Judicial Regions VI, VII, and XI to submit updates on the status of affected court stations and identify possible temporary facilities for court operations.

The Supreme Court assured the public that judges and court personnel will continue to act on urgent matters, including bail applications, habeas corpus petitions, and marriage solemnizations, despite the temporary adjustments.