122K PDLs released amid pandemic via virtual hearings

MANILA – The videoconferencing hearings (VCH) that helped ensure the judiciary’s functionality during the coronavirus pandemic has been successful, the country’s top magistrate said on Friday.

In his speech at the Tarlac State University where he was conferred an honorary doctorate of laws degree, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said a total of 192,444 video conference hearings was done from May 4 of last year to February 5 of this year. It has a success rate of 88 percent.

Peralta said he is proud of the work done to ensure accused persons deprived of liberty (PDL) continue to have access to the courts during the outbreak.

“We likewise issued administrative orders to allow PDLs to be released on reduced bail or recognizance among others,” Peralta said.

As a result, he said up to 122,178 PDLs were released from March 17 to February 11 of this year.

Peralta is stepping down from the judiciary upon turning 69 on March 27, a year ahead of his mandatory retirement.

Under court rules on videoconferencing issued last year, VCH is allowed for all matters in both criminal and civil cases, whether newly-filed or pending and regardless of the stage of trial.

Videoconferencing hearings in both criminal and civil cases shall be upon joint motion of the parties or upon orders of the court.

They are scheduled by the court with the parties notified by the court through email. They shall resemble or mirror in-court proceedings.