THE Supreme Court yesterday invited members of the media to the first in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared two years ago, to cover the launch of the Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons this Friday.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo will deliver the welcome address while Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando will introduce the salient features of the Rule.
The SC approved the Rule in February in recognition of the country’s commitments under international law, particularly the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, among others.
The SC said the Rule aims to simplify and reduce legal and procedural hurdles in obtaining Philippine citizenship to facilitate the assimilation and naturalization of refugees and stateless persons into Philippine society.
“The said launch will be an in-person event. All attendees will be required to undergo antigen testing and to present a negative COVID-19 negative result,” the SC said in an advisory.
For members of the media, the SC said it will provide free antigen testing on March 24 and on the day of the event itself.
At the height of the pandemic, the SC ordered courts to shift to videoconferencing of hearings as well as the e-filing of cases and pleadings to curb the spread of the virus.
