Legal proceedings in DAR adjudicating bodies still suspended

Castriciones said the running period for the filing of pleadings, based on its actual balance as of March 15, is rescheduled on May 4, 2020. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John R. Castriciones on Wednesday announced that the filing of pleadings and the conduct of hearings in all adjudicating bodies of the department in Luzon and other areas placed under the government-imposed enhanced community quarantine remain suspended throughout the duration of the lockdown period.

“The rescheduling of all legal proceedings and processes in all adjudicating bodies of the DAR in areas placed under the enhanced community quarantine is done in compliance with the government decision to extend the lockdown period up to the end of this month,” Castriciones said in a press release.

Castriciones said the running period for the filing of pleadings, based on its actual balance as of March 15, is rescheduled on May 4, 2020.

Castriciones said the conduct of hearings is reset one month from the date of the original schedules that have fallen under the lockdown period.

He, however, emphasized that all DAR adjudicating bodies outside the quarantined areas shall continue to operate normally.

“Every day is a working day for all concerned adjudicators in areas under total lockdown.

They shall continue to draft decisions and orders in their respective homes throughout the lockdown period,” he said.

Castriciones said the reglamentary period for rendition of judgment (30 days) and resolution of motion for reconsideration (five days) and orders shall be reset and to start running again on May 4, 2020.

“The same applies to the transmittal of records on appeal,” he added.

Moreover, the sectorial deadline for all pending cases received in 2019, which was originally set on March 31, 2020, is reset on June 1, 2020, Castriciones said.

He pointed out though that “the extension of operations of all legal proceedings and processes shall be deemed without prejudice to the exercise of discretion of the President (Rodrigo Roa Duterte) to relax the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in some local jurisdictions. The resumption of the running periods shall be fixed by the DAR as soon as the ECQ is lifted.” (PR)