Answer:
Videoconferencing hearings will continue in General Community Quarantine (GCQ) areas, the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office (PIO) announced on 31 May 2020. The government has lifted the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in all areas in the Philippines, relaxing the quarantine to either GCQ or Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).
The announcement clarifies any confusion stemming from the difference in language in two Supreme Court circulars. In SC Administrative Circular No. 40-2020, providing for the guidelines in GCQ areas from 16-31 May 2020, the Supreme Court directed that the courts in the GCQ areas shall continue to resolve and decide all the cases pending before them. The hearings, either in-court or through videoconferencing, of all the matters pending before them, in both criminal and civil cases, whether newly-filed or pending, and regardless of the stage of the trial, are now herein authorized.” (Underscoring supplied)
On the other hand, SC Administrative Circular No. 41-2020, setting forth the guidelines beginning 1 June 2020, provides that “[t]he hearings of cases, regardless of the stage of the trial, shall be in-court, except in cases involving Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) who shall continue to appear remotely from the detention facility, and in cases with extraordinary circumstances as may be determined by the justices and judges, which shall be heard through videoconferencing.” (Underscoring supplied)
Explanation:
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