SC CIRCULAR NO. 19, August 04, 1987

This Court has received reports of delays while awaiting raffle,
in acting on applications for search warrants in the campaign against
loose firearms and other serious crimes affecting peace and order.
There is a need for prompt action on such applications for
search,warrant. Accordingly, these amended guidelines in the issuance of
a search warrant are issued:

1. All applications or search warrants relating to violations
   of the Anti-subversion Act, crimes against public order as defined in
   the Revised Penal Code, as amended. illegal possession of firearms
   and/or ammunitions and violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as
   amended, shall no longer be raffled and shall immediately be taken cognizance of and acted upon by the Executive Judge
   of the Regional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, and Municipal
   Trial Court under whose jurisdiction the place to be searched is
   located.

2. In the absence of the Executive Judge, the Vice Executive Judge shall take cognizance of and personally
   act on the same. In the absence of the Executive Judge or
   Vice-Executive Judge, the application may be taken cognizance of and
   acted upon and any judge of the Court where the application is filed.

3. Applications filed after office hours, during Saturdays,
   Sundays and holidays, shall likewise be taken cognizance of and acted
   upon by any judge of the court having jurisdiction of the place to be
   searched, but in such cases the applicant shall certify and state the
   facts under oath, to be satisfaction of the judge, that its issuance is urgent.

4. Any judge acting on such application shall immediately and
   without delay personally conduct the examination of the applicant and
   his witnesses to prevent the possible leakage of information. He shall
   observe the procedures, safeguards, and guidelines for the issuance of
   search warrants provided for in this Court’s Administrative Circular No.
   13, dated October 1, 1985.

5. This Circular shall take effect immediately.

Please be guided accordingly.

August 4, 1987.