Supreme Court scales down on-site workforce

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the continued rise in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila, the Supreme Court (SC) has reduced its on-site workforce to a maximum of 50 percent until the end of the month.

“In view of the increased positivity rate in the National Capital Region due to new COVID variants, the on-site working capacity in all SC offices shall be reduced until July 31,” a memorandum order signed by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo read.

The Fiscal Management and Budget Office, Office of the Bar Confidant, maintenance and security divisions, motorpool section as well as the medical and dental services will operate at 100 percent capacity.

“SC employees who are not scheduled to report to office should adopt work-from-home arrangement. The official time for work is from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,” the memorandum said.

Gesmundo said it is up to the justices to determine the number of their staff who would be required to physically report to work.

SC Administrator Raul Villanueva ordered first and second level courts in areas placed under Alert Level 1 to enforce reduced on-site working capacity until July 31.

Judges without court space or facilities of their own should maintain a skeletal workforce of 30 percent.

Villanueva said judges are allowed to conduct hearings through videoconference at least three times a week.