OCA-Circular-No.-271-2023

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OCA CIRCULAR NO. 271-2023
TO ALL JUDGES AND COURT PERSONNEL OF THE

FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL COURTS
SUBJECT LIFTING OF THE STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

EMERGENCY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES
DUE TO COVID-19
For the information and guidance of all concerned, President

Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., through Proclamation No. 297 dated 21
July 2023, lifted the Public Health Emergency throughout the
Philippines due to COVID-19, effective immediately.
In view of Proclamation No. 297, all prior Orders, Memoranda,

and issuances from the Supreme Court and the Office of the Court
Administrator (OCA), unless otherwise directed, that were effective
during the State of Public Health Emergency are now deemed
withdrawn, revoked, or canceled and shall no longer be in effect.
As such, all issuances on court operations before the COVID-

19 pandemic should be fully complied with, except if these have been
subsequently modified or amended. Utmost priority shall be given to
in-court or face-to-face hearings and the conduct of
videoconferencing hearings, if warranted, in court, from home or in
other locations shall be subject to the provisions of OCA Circular No.
43-2022 dated 1 March 2022. Also, and among others, the raffle of
cases in multi-sala stations should be in-person."
Likewise, per the letter dated 28 July 2023 of Atty. Maria

Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan, Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief
Administrative Officer, Office of Administrative Services, Supreme
Court, and as approved by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo,
the updated health and safety protocols hereunder provided should
be observed by all trial courts:
1. Only symptomatic and suspected COVID-19 cases would

require antigen testing, whether at home or in a health
center / clinic / hospital. Positive antigen test result at home should be
validated with an RT-PCR result, if still available, and if the result is
confirmed positive, the infected person needs to isolate for at least
five (5) days from start of symptoms on sick leave, if a Judge or staff,
and secure a fit to work certification from a medical practitioner or
doctor.
1 OCA Circular No. 181-2023 dated 1 May 2023 (COURT OPERAnONS FROM 2 MAY 2023 UNTIL
FURTHER ORDERS OF THE COURT)
2. PHIWA and SC-Office of Administrative Services (OAS) face
to-face seminars will continue to require antigen tests at their
discretion.
3. The wearing of face masks is now optional inside the

Supreme Court premises and in the halls of justice. However,
Judges, upon their discretion, may require wearing of face masks
inside their courts or halls of justice.
4. All Judges and Clerks of Court must be vigilant and monitor

the health condition of their staff and report any symptomatic or sick
employees of COVID-19 to the OAS-OCA.
5. Antigen test may be required by the Judges for visitors in

their courts or halls of justice on justified medical grounds.
Furthermore, Sec. 6.0 of Civil Service Commission

Memorandum Circular No. 2, s. 2022 dated 18 January 20222
provides as follows:
"6.0 Effectivity
"The guidelines under CSC Resolution No. 2101122 dated

December 31, 2021 shall take effect retroactively on March
16, 2020, the start of the Enhanced Community Quarantine
in Luzon, and shall remain in force until the State of
Public Health Emergency and the Community
Quarantine has been lifted by the Office of the
President." (emphasis supplied)
Accordingly, OCA Circular No. 350-2022 3 dated 20 December

2022, anchored on Supreme Court Memorandum Order No. 123-
2022 (Updated Quarantine and Isolation Protocols for COVID-19
cases in the Supreme Court) and the said Memorandum Circular No.
2, s. 2022, is now hereby deemed superseded.
Finally, and as a fervent reminder for everyone's safety, the

World Health Organization advised that it is time to transition to
long-term management of the COVID-19 pandemic4, which may
include constant self-assessment and self- onitoring of ne's health.
04 August 2023
2
Amendment to the Revised Interim Guidelines on the Use of Leave Credits for Absences Due to Quarantine
and/or Treatment of COYID-19
3
UPDATED GUIDELINES ON COVID-19 HEALTH PROTOCOLS, QUARANTINE AND
AMENDMENTS ON THE USE OF LEAVE CREDITS DUE TO QUARANTINE AND/OR TREATMENT
OF COVID-19 dated 20 December 2022
4
7th Whereas Clause of Proclamation No. 297, ibid.

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l\epuhlic of toe floilippine%

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 271-2023

TO ALL JUDGES AND COURT PERSONNEL OF THE

SUBJECT LIFTING OF THE STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

For the information and guidance of all concerned, President

In view of Proclamation No. 297, all prior Orders, Memoranda,

As such, all issuances on court operations before the COVID-

Likewise, per the letter dated 28 July 2023 of Atty. Maria

1. Only symptomatic and suspected COVID-19 cases would

3. The wearing of face masks is now optional inside the

4. All Judges and Clerks of Court must be vigilant and monitor

5. Antigen test may be required by the Judges for visitors in

Furthermore, Sec. 6.0 of Civil Service Commission

"The guidelines under CSC Resolution No. 2101122 dated

Accordingly, OCA Circular No. 350-2022 3 dated 20 December

Finally, and as a fervent reminder for everyone's safety, the

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