SC holds its own amid pandemic times

Yearender

MANILA, Philippines — When the Duterte administration implemented the various community quarantine restrictions in the country, the Supreme Court (SC) immediately took action. It devised programs and formulated policies that made the Judiciary attuned to the needs of the times.

At the helm, when COVID-19 broke out, was Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta.

SC magistrates were, likewise, quick in their response to the unprecedented health crisis and ensured the continued operations of the courts.

In his New Year’s Message, Peralta said, “When I took the helm of the Judiciary, I gave my word that I will work my hardest in order to ensure efficiency, integrity and security and service in the courts. I assure you that all the judicial reforms are in place to achieve this.”

At the onset, the pandemic had a number of court personnel infected, so the SC ordered the stringent screening of people going to the halls of justices. Quick purchases of thermal scanners and disinfection agents were made to ensure the safety of court premises.

But as the number of COVID-19 infections rose and with government imposing physical distancing as one of the main protocols to stem the spread of the virus, Peralta ordered the physical closure of the courts.

From the SC down to the first level courts, the resumption of hearings was later done in virtual settings via videoconferencing, for both civil and criminal cases. This paved the way not only for the filing of e-complaints but also for hearing petitions for bail for the release of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

More than 81,000 PDLs were ordered released by various courts in the country since the start of the lockdown, majority obtaining temporary freedom through bail or recognizance, or after serving the minimum possible penalty for the crime for which they were charged.

Even the annual Bar exams traditionally set in September was postponed for 2021 with the innovation that there would be two venues for the examinations – Manila and Cebu.

Another major highlight of the SC for 2020 was the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL) – perhaps one of the most contested issues raised before the High Court. A total of 37 petitions were filed to challenge its implementation on the grounds of its alleged unconstitutionality and that it violated several human rights provisions.

The first oral arguments for the ATL are set for Jan. 19.

Last Dec. 1, it was announced that Chief Justice Peralta would be retiring early, eyeing to end his term on March 27 which is one exactly a year before schedule, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.