The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed courts in the provinces affected by recent earthquakes to adopt work-from-home arrangements for their personnel and to conduct proceedings via videoconferencing.

This was stated in a memorandum issued in Manila by Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta, authorizing courts in Cebu City, Iloilo City, Roxas City, Bogo City, Argao and Borbon-Tabugon in Cebu province, Baganga in Davao Oriental and Laak in Davao de Oro to adopt remote work setups and hold videoconferencing starting 20 October.

Videoconferencing shall be used when acting on applications for bail, writs of habeas corpus, marriage solemnization and similar proceedings.

The memorandum also directs all official hotlines, emails, and communication channels to remain active and responsive.

The measures are intended to protect the welfare of judges and court personnel while ensuring the continuous delivery of essential judicial services.

It further states that once suitable relocation sites or temporary offices are available, courts should maintain a skeleton workforce to retrieve court records and other 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 has also directed the Offices of the Regional Court Manager in Judicial Regions VI, VII and XI to submit updates on the status of the affected court stations and identify alternative facilities for temporary court operations.

The public was assured that judges and court personnel will continue to act on urgent matters, including bail applications, habeas corpus petitions, and marriage solemnizations.