THE Sandiganbayan is throwing its doors wide open starting today as it gears up for full resumption of operations after lifting access restrictions that have been in place since October 22, 2021.
Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang issued Administrative Order No. 020-2022 officially lifting the requirement for the submission of negative antigen or RT-PCR tests if the person seeking admission into the court premises can show proof of being fully vaccinated.
The court said defense lawyers and the Office of the Special Prosecutor have earlier petitioned the court to reconsider the requirement for antigen tests.
Citing the National COVID-19 Immunization Program and official government figures showing an “ever-increasing number of fully-vaccinated and boosted” portion of the population, the Sandiganbayan said it is relaxing restriction effective March 1, 2022.
“All fully vaccinated lawyers, parties, witnesses and court users shall be allowed entry into the Sandiganbayan provided that they are able to show physical or electronic copies of their duly issued vaccination and/ or booster cards upon entry into the Sandiganbayan,” the court declared.
It said the court’s in-house security personnel are authorized to verify the identity of the person indicated in the vaccination/booster card.
However, the court said it will still allow admission for unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated individuals providing they can present proof that they are not infected by the coronavirus.
“All lawyers, parties, witnesses and court users who are not fully vaccinated or are unable to adequately present copies of their vaccination cards shall be required to present a laboratory confirmed or professionally conducted negative Antigen or RT-PCR test result taken within a maximum of 48 hours from entry into the Sandiganbayan,” it added.