OCA CIRCULAR NO. 131-2009, September 28, 2009

In view of the devastating damage/s of typhoon “Ondoy”, the
following guidelines in i.he announcement of a work suspension in the
lower courts as per OCA Circular No. 110-2008 dated 05 November 2008
are hereby reiterated, to wit:

“In consonance with the provisions of A.M. No. 03 -8-02 -SC
(Guidelines on the Selection and Appointment of Executive Judges and
Defining their Powers, Prerogatives and Duties) dated 15 February 2004 ,
in the absence of an announcement from the national or local
government, the following guidelines in the suspension of work shall be
observed:

1. In case of typhoons where public storm signal no. 1 or 2 has been raised by PAG-ASA, there shall be no work suspension;
2. In case of typhoons where public storm signal no. 3 has been
   raised by PAG-ASA, suspension of work shall be subject to the discretion
   of the Executive Judge with notice to the Office of the Court
   Administrator; and

3. In case of:
   

   a.) flash flood (with or without typhoon);

   b.) transport strikes and other large-scale
   public strikes and/or rallies; and c.) other situations necessitating
   suspension of work, suspension of work shall likewise be subject to the
   discretion of the Executive Judge with notice to the Office of the Court Administrator.

If an announcement of work suspension is deemed necessary by the
Executive Judge, a report on the circumstances thereof (e.g. dale, lime,
reason) shall be immediately communicated to the Court Administrator
who shall verify the need for the early dismissal.

An abuse of the prerogative to suspend work shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.”

For strict compliance.

28 September 2009.