The Supreme Court has suspended work in all courts nationwide starting at 12 noon Friday, Dec. 23, “to give personnel, parties, and litigants the necessary time and opportunity to attend to their personal engagements for the season.”
The Manila City government likewise ordered a half-day work on Friday (Dec. 23) and on Thursday (Dec.29) to enable its personnel to prepare for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The SC, through Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, said the suspension of work does not apply “to court personnel who need to process bails, orders of releases or other writs of liberty, those who need to serve protection orders within the day, or those attending to other urgent matters at the discretion of judges and justices.”
The half-day work covered the SC, the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, the Court of Tax Appeals, and all trial courts across the country.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo is on official leave.
In an executive order, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said work will be suspended from 1 p.m. onwards.
“To prepare for Christmas and New Year celebrations after a year of hard work and dedicated public service, city government employees of the City of Manila deserve a little time and opportunity to aptly prepare for the holidays in order to have a meaningful celebration of the season with their families, friends, and loved ones,” it read.
However, personnel or offices involved in peace and order, public services, traffic enforcement, disaster and risk reduction management, and health and sanitation are excluded.
The suspension of work in national government offices and private companies is left in their discretion, according to the order.
