Through Microsoft’s assistance, the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines has been able to expedite trials and liberate more than 4000 people in the middle of the pandemic. Much like the majority of the world, judges and court personnel are conducting video conferencing to host the country’s legal proceedings while complying with the government’s social distancing initiative.Â
On April 27, Honorable Chief Justice Peralta issued Administrative Circular 37-2020, directing all Litigants, Judges and Court personnel of 925 First and Second Level Courts nationwide to immediately begin virtual court hearings.Â
The first nine days show the effectiveness of virtual hearings as the SC was able to release 4,683 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) compared to the 9,731 from six weeks before the implementation of virtual courtrooms. The SC has been reliant on Microsft 365 that not only ensures cases are administered promptly but also let them establish the e-filling of petitions and submissions of requirements for bail and complaints.
Just a week ago, the SC utilized Microsoft Stream to conduct its “The New Normal: Cybersecurity in a COVID-Free, Malware-Free Judiciary” webinar. With that said, Microsft 365 has become the official medium for communications by the entire Judicial Branch of the Philippine Government during this pandemic.
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