SC suspends court work on December 26, January 2

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Wednesday announced the suspension of work in courts nationwide for an additional two days during the holiday season.

On its Twitter account, the SC Public Information Office said that court work for December 26 and January 2, 2019, has been suspended “to allow the officials and personnel of the Judiciary full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families.”

To allow the officials and personnel of the judiciary full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families, the Supreme Court has authorized the suspension of work in all courts nationwide on Dec. 26, 2018 (Wednesday) and Jan. 2, 2019 (Wednesday).

— Supreme Court PIO (@SCPh_PIO) December 19, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte through Memorandum Circular No. 54 earlier suspended government work and classes in public schools on January 2.

The memo, signed by Executive Secretary Medialdea, supplements Proclamation No. 555 that declared January 1 as a regular holiday “in order to give the employees of the government full opportunity to celebrate such holiday with families and loved ones.”

“However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services continue with their operations and render the necessary services,” the memorandum further read.

The Palace’s suspension also covered government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, local government units and other agencies and instrumentalities in the country.

Meanwhile, independent commissions or bodies and private companies shall have the discretion on suspending work on January 2.