MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered judges to conduct jail visitations to check on the condition of inmates amid extremely high temperatures.
In a circular released yesterday, the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) said the purpose of the visitation is to determine how inmates are affected by extreme heat, especially that they are detained in crowded facilities.
“Persons deprived of liberty may also be negatively impacted by this extreme heat and weather conditions,” the circular read. “All concerned judges are directed to conduct jail visitation at least once within their respective jurisdictions on any day not later than 31 May 2024.”
The circular is in addition to the regular quarterly jail visitation previously ordered by OCA.
The circular, which was signed by court administrator Raul Villanueva, also ordered judges to submit inspection reports to their respective executive judges within five calendar days after the visit. The executive judges, in turn, are directed to forward the inspection report to the Court Management Office.
Oratio imperata for rain
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released yesterday its “oratio imperata ad petendam pluviam,” or an obligatory prayer appealing for rain.
Addressed to archbishops, bishops and priests across the country, CBCP secretary-general Msgr. Bernardo Pantin said the body hopes the prayer prepared by the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy would be used “according to your pastoral discretion.”
The oratio imperata, usually prayed during masses, also implored the intercession of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Rose of Lima, and Filipino saints Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod. — Ghio Ong