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Video conference court hearings post 88% success rate: SC

By Benjamin Pulta

October 26, 2020, 6:26 pm

<p>Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez. <em>(Screengrab from Laging Handa briefing)</em></p>

Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez. (Screengrab from Laging Handa briefing)

MANILA – The conduct of court hearings via video conferencing has been proven to be an effective tool in litigation under the new normal, a Supreme Court (SC) official said on Monday.

In a Laging Handa briefing, SC Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said a total of 110,369 video conference hearings were held from May 4 to October 16, with a success rate of 88 percent while the remaining 12 percent were affected by connectivity issues.

Out of the 81,888 persons deprived of liberty released amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic from March 17 to October 16, Marquez said 46,032 PDLs were released through video conference hearings.

"It also resulted in the release of 880 minors or what we call children in conflict with the law (CICL). These hearings are at different stages, there are bail hearings, acquittal, plea bargaining and probation," Marquez said.

The use of video conference hearings by courts is one of the measures adopted by the judiciary to ensure smooth dispensation of justice amid the pandemic.

"All our courts are open amid the pandemic. There are some closed physically due to Covid-19 cases among employees but these can still be reached electronically. Pleadings can be filed," he said.

As a general rule, Marquez said judges are required to report physically to their chambers when conducting hearings.

"However, in some instances, such as underlying health conditions or for judges who are senior citizens, they can ask permission from the Office of the Court Administrator to preside from home. We allow that," he said, adding that all courts are able to conduct video conference hearings.

At present, courts are adopting an at least 50-percent skeletal workforce as part of alternative work arrangements amid the Covid-19 pandemic pursuant to SC Memorandum Circular No. 45 series of 2020.

"However, we leave the discretion to the judge. For instance, a court is overloaded with cases. Maybe the judge needs a full workforce. We leave that to the sound discretion of the judge, provided that they would observe minimum health protocols," he added. (PNA)

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