Trial courts nationwide to be open on election day

MANILA, Philippines - Trial courts all over the country will be open during the general elections on Monday, the Supreme Court (SC) has announced.

The SC has required all executive judges and clerks of all regional trial courts, metropolitan trial courts and municipal trial courts in cities as well as judges and clerks of all single-sala trial courts to report for duty on election day, a special non-working holiday.

In Circular No. 17-2016, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez also directed judges “to act on all election matters within your jurisdiction and to resolve the same with utmost caution and dispatch.”

“In case the executive judge would not be able to report for duty, he or she may designate the vice executive judge or any of the judges in the station,” the order read.

The offices of the clerks of court were likewise told to maintain skeletal force to attend to collection fees and receive cash bonds needed in some election cases.

Marquez said the measure is again implemented just as in previous national elections “in the interest of the efficient administration of justice and speedy disposition of election-related cases.”  

Hospitals on alert

All government hospitals nationwide are now on white alert status and placed all medical teams on standby for immediate mobilization in case of emergency during the May 9 elections.

Health Secretary Janette Garin reported that the department has placed all government-operated hospitals and regional offices under code white alert until May 15.

“This means the DOH will also monitor closely the situation in high-risk areas and will raise the alert code as necessary,” Garin noted.

Garin said a code white alert is declared when there is a mass gathering or national event and there is a possibility of emergency conditions that may need immediate medical attention.

The health chief said the DOH will also provide basic first aid assistance, essential medicine and other health services for voters and those on election duty on Monday.

“As much as possible we are hoping to have a peaceful election. These services are provided to our voters as well as our volunteers during elections with free, timely and effective medical assistance if the need arises,” Garin said.

The DOH and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier forged an agreement to ensure voters and those performing election duties are provided appropriate medical services.

In line with the agreement, the DOH will deploy five health workers from regional offices to each health station to assist the needs of voters and volunteers during emergencies.

Garin advised voters to take the necessary precautions against heat-related illnesses since election day falls on the summer month of May.

“It would be better if voters would wear comfortable clothing and to bring water, crackers or candy as a preventive measure in case they get dizzy or suffer from low sugar level,” she explained.

She also discouraged voters from bringing children to voting centers and if it could not be avoided, the parents must ensure that the kids are safe and secure.

If possible, Garin said, voters should go to voting centers early so they could avoid intense heat.  – With Mayen Jaymalin, Non Alquitran