Work in Manila courts suspended for Xi Jinping’s visit

FILE: To the Chinese president’s growing array of titles, the ruling Communist Party says Xi Jinping can add important Marxist thinker. (Photo by Global Panorama/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) announced the suspension of work in all courts in the city of Manila on Tuesday in line with the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“In view of EO 41, s. 2018 of Mayor Joseph Estrada and upon the recommendation of the Office of the Court Administrator and the police in the interest of public order and safety, work in all courts in Manila, including the SC and CA (Court of Appeals), is suspended tomorrow, November 20, per SAJ (Senior Associate Justice) Antonio Carpio,” the SC Public Information Office said in a Twitter post.

The Manila Police District earlier recommended the suspension of classes and work to Estrada due to Xi’s visit.

More than 5,000 policemen will be deployed to secure the Chinese leader’s visit, the first time in over a decade.

The schedule includes a visit to Malacañang and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument.

In 2005, former Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Manila under the administration of then president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.