THE Supreme Court yesterday announced a three-day work suspension starting today, after results of an antigen testing done on court personnel showed that many of its staff were positive of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Memorandum Order No.2, Series of 2022 issued by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo stated: “Considering the report of the Medical and Dental Service that there are many court personnel who have positive results on antigen testing done from December 27, 2021 to date, and that contact tracing conducted reveals they were in close physical contact with other court employees, upon consultation with (the) Court En Banc, a work suspension from January 3 to 5, 2022 is hereby declared to pave the way for similar testing of all other court personnel.”
The memo also said that disinfection of the SC premises will be conducted during the same period.
However, Gesmundo said personnel of the Office of the Bar Chair and the Office of the Bar Confidant who are involved in the preparation for the 2020 and 2021 Bar exams, the Office of the Administrative Services, the Medical and Dental Section and the Receiving Section of the Judicial Records Office who are involved in the e-filing of cases are still required to report on-site.
Likewise, he said that the vaccination for booster shot slated on Monday (January 3) and the en banc session on Tuesday (January 4) will proceed as scheduled.
A modified working arrangement stated under the separate Memorandum Order No.1, Series of 2022 will take effect on January 6.
“Everyone is mandated to present his or her negative antigen result slip when entering Court premises on said date,” the memorandum said.
Metro Manila has been seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases following the entry of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan announced that its special anti-graft court will continue operations on skeleton staff as part of its risk management measures following the declaration of Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila from January 3 to 15, 2021.
In a memorandum issued January 1, 2022, Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang said onsite manpower will be between 50 to 60 percent, at the discretion of the respective heads of offices of the Sandiganbayan.
Likewise, the court will maintain a Saturday work force to attend to urgent matters for resolution including bail applications.
“All offices shall see to it that they are compliant with the 40-hour workweek through onsite work in such frequency as to meet the 50 percent to 60 percent onsite requirement and a work from home for the remainder,” the court said.
To this end, officials and employees alike were directed to submit their daily time records and accomplishment reports for those who are on a work from home status.
Likewise, all offices and employees were cautioned to strictly observe minimum health standards and physical distancing.
Tang said the revised work arrangement will remain in effect “until further notice.”
The Sandiganbayan had earlier suspended the filing of all pleadings and other court submissions from December 20, 2021 to January 3, 2022 citing the extent of the damage wreaked by Typhoon Odette which lashed wide areas of the country from December 15 to 17, 2021. — With Peter Tabingo
