MANILA, Philippines — Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has ordered the suspension of work in courts in Manila for November 20, the first day of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the country.
The Supreme Court Public Information Office announced that Carpio has directed a work suspension at the high court, Court of Appeals and all courts in Manila in view of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s Executive Order 41.
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In view of EO 41, s. 2018 of Mayor Joseph Estrada and upon the recommendation of the OCA and the police in the interest of public order and safety, work in all courts in Manila, including the SC and CA, is suspended tomorrow, November 20, per SAJ Antonio Carpio.
— Supreme Court PIO (@SCPh_PIO) November 19, 2018
Estrada, last Friday, ordered the suspension of classes and work in the city government on Tuesday “to ensure public order, safety and convenience,” for Xi’s arrival.
Xi is set to visit the Malacañan Palace and attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument, Luneta Park in Manila on Tuesday.
The court's work suspension in Manila was issued “upon the recommendation of the [Office of the Court Administration] and the police,” said the SC PIO.
National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar earlier said that the 27,000-strong police force would be on full alert during the Chinese leader’s visit.
Eleazar said that according to their monitoring, several militant groups are set to stage lightning rallies during the visit.