Makati, Taguig courts on lockdown

MANILA, Philippines  — The judges and personnel of courts in Makati and Taguig will undergo self-quarantine for two weeks after some employees were either infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 or exposed to COVID-19 patients.

In a joint memorandum, Makati Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Elmo Alameda and Metropolitan Trial Court Executive Judge Jackie Crisologo Saguisag said all RTCs, MeTCs as well as the offices of the clerks of court were placed on lockdown beginning yesterday until July 8.

The memorandum was issued after a court employee underwent antibody rapid testing and yielded a positive result for COVID-19. The employee also has relatives working in other branches of the Makati court.

Another employee was reported as PUI or person under investigation.

Both employees are scheduled to undergo confirmatory swab testing.

“The courts will be physically closed during the quarantine period but will still function remotely through their hotline numbers and judiciary e-mails,” the memorandum read.

Hearings will be conducted through video conference and pleadings can be filed electronically pursuant to circulars issued by the Supreme Court (SC).

Court personnel were advised to conduct contact tracing and immediately report to their respective barangay health officers once they manifest symptoms of the virus.

“In these trying times, we urge everyone to strictly observe quarantine measures for our safety and well-being,” the judges said.

In Taguig, two court personnel who had direct contact with a COVID-19 patient have tested negative for the virus.

MeTC Executive Judge Ma. Victoria Padilla Awid urged judges and employees of Branches 74 and 115 to continue their 14-day quarantine ending on July 1.

HRET, Valenzuela court shut down

The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) in Quezon City has been placed on lockdown since Monday after a liaison officer reportedly contracted COVID-19.

HRET chairman and SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said the HRET premises would remain closed for disinfection.

Leonen said all HRET personnel were ordered to undergo quarantine for 14 days.

In Valenzuela, the RTC-Bulwagang Pangkatarungan was placed on lockdown starting yesterday until July 9 after an employee was reportedly exposed to a COVID-19 patient.

The employee will be subjected to polymerase chain reaction test.

If the swab test turns out negative, in-court proceedings and other transactions will resume immediately, according to a memorandum issued by Executive Judge Maria Nena Santos.

DSWD frontliners infected

Nineteen frontline employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have tested positive for COVID-19.

DSWD Undersecretary Rene Glen Paje said the workers may have contracted the virus during the distribition of the government’s social amelioratin program payout. Rey Galupo, Ghio Ong, Rainier Allan Ronda