~ep he of tbe ibtlippine,g

~upreme lourt
manila

RE: PROPOSED G ELINES ON THE 1CONDUCT

OFVID OCONFERENCINGI

WHEREAS, the Supre e Court, under Section 5(5), Article VIII of the
198 Constitution, is vested w th the power to "promulgate rules concerning 1

the rotection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and

proc <lure in all courts, the adm ssion to the practice ofl'aw, the Integrated Bar,
and egal assistance to the und rprivileged;"

WHEREAS, pursuant o this power, the Supreme Court authorized

"the presentation of testimoni 1 evidence by electroni~ means" in both civil
and criminal cases under the ules on Electronic Evidence; 1 and the use of
live-link television testimony i criminal cases where tHe
I
witness or the victim
is a child under the Rule on Ex mination of a Child Witness;2

WHEREAS, the Supre e Court, recognizing the wide acceptance of

"the use of videoconferencin technology" for "the remote appearance or
testimony of the parties in cou proceedings," approvedI the Guidelines on the
Use of Videoconferencing Tl. chnology for the Remote Appearance and
Testimony of Certain Person Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in Jails and
National Penitentiaries, whic is being pilot tested between the Davao City
Hall of Justice and Davao City ail beginning September 1, 2019, "for a period
of not more than two (2) years' ;3

WHEREAS, in March 020, the Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-

19) pandemic caused the decla ation of states ofpublicihealth emergency and
calamity and the imposition f community quarantine in varying degrees
across the country, resulting in reduced court operations, suspension of
hearings nationwide, except o urgent matters, and tile physical closure of
courts;

July 17, 200 I and September 24, 002 Resolutions in A.M. No. 0 I-7-0 I-SC (Rules on Electronic
Evidence). I
2
November 21, 2000 Resolution in .M. No. 004-07-SC (Rule on Ex amination ofa Child Witness) .
1

June 25, 2019 Resolution in A. . No. 19-05-05-SC (Re: ProposedI

Guidelines on the Use of
Videoconferencing Technology for the Re ote Appearance or Testimony of Certain Persons Deprived of
liberty in Jails and National Penitentiaries .
 -2-

I
WHEREAS, in order o address the effects of the restraint on the
movement and travel of court sers for court proceedings, the Supreme Court
designated pilot courts that ere authorized to conduct hearings through
videoconferencing, both in riminal and civil cases, through several
issuances, 4 specifically indica ed to apply only durilig the duration of the
public health emergency; I

WHEREAS, even wi h the gradual easing out of community

I
lockdowns, videoconferencin · continued to be adopted as a mode of
conducting court proceedings;

WHEREAS, consideri g the commendable ~esults of the use of

videoconferencing in pilot ourt stations, the Supreme Court issued
Memorandum Order No. 40-2 20· dated May 29, 202p creating the Special
Committee on Virtual Hearings and Electronic Testimomy (Special Committee)
tasked, among other matters to propose guidelines for the conduct of
videoconferencing which shal be applicable even after the current public
health emergency ceases;

I
WHEREAS, in crimin 1 cases, there is a need to ensure that the
constitutional rights ofthe accu ed are safeguarded durihg videoconferencing;
and I

WHEREAS, the Spe ial Committee on Virtual Hearings and

Electronic Testimony is comp sed of the following members:

Chairperson: on. Diosdado M. Peralta

Vice/Working Chairperson: on. Alexander G. Gesmundo

ssociate Justice, Supre~e Court

Members: on. Henri Jean Paul B. Inting

ssociate Justice, Supre~e Court

on. Rodil V. Zalamedia

ssociate Justice, Supreme Court

on. Jose Midas P. Marquez

ourt Administrator

4
Administrative Circular (A.C.) No 37-2020 dated April 27, 2020; OCA Circular No. 93-2020 dated
May 4, 2020; A.C. No. 39-2020 dated May 14, 2020; and A.C. No. 41-2020 elated May 29, 2020.
 - 3-

I
on. Maria Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta
ssociate Justice, Sandiganbayan

on. Sarah Jane T. Fernandez

ssociate Justice, Sandikanbayan

Hon. Raul B. Villanue~a

eputy Court Administrator
I
tty. Jed Sherwin G. Uy
epresentative, Office ofthe ChiefJustice
I

r. Joselito N. Enriquez
)jficer-in-Charge, Manrgement Information
ystems Office

Secretariat: tty. Ralph Jerome D. Salvador

)jfice of ChiefJustice Diosdado M Peralta

tty. Antonio Ceasar R. Manila

)jfice ofJustice Alexander
I
G. Gesmundo

tty. Camille Sue MaelL. Ting

)jfice of the Court Administrator

WHEREAS, as per Me orandum Order No. 40-A-2020 dated June 15,

2020, the Technical Working Group of the Special Committee on Virtual
Hearings and Electronic Testi ony was created to fast-track the preparation
of a working draft comprised fthe following members:

Chairperson: on. Rodil V. Zalameda

ssociate Justice, Supreme Court

Vice-Chairperson: on. Henri Jean Paul B. Inting

ssociate Justice, Supre'me Court

Members: on. Jose Midas P. M~rquez

ourt Administrator

on. Raul B. Villanueva

eputy Court Administrator
I
tty. Jed Sherwin G. Uy
epresentative, Office ofthe ChiefJustice
I
 -4-

r. Joselito N. Enriquez
)jficer-in-Charge, Management Information
ystems Office

tty. Ralph Jerome D.I Salvador

1

>.ffice of ChiefJustice £?iosdado M Peralta

tty. Antonio Ceasar~- Manila

if.fice ofJustice Alexander G. Gesmundo

tty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting

1

if.fice ofthe Court Administrator

I

NOW, THEREFORE, cting on the recommendation of Chief Justice

Diosdado M. Peralta, as the C airperson of the Speciall Committee, the Court
resolves to APPROVE the following Guidelines I on the Conduct of
Videoconferencing.

December 9, 2020.

. PERALTA

NABE
Associate Justice

GUIOA

DO
Associate Justice
 - 5-

,,,,,-
1

RO-JAVIE H E ~ B . INTING
I Associat\Justice

/
EDGARDO(; DELOS sA
Associate Justice
~UE~~AN
Associate Justice
1
 GUIDELIN S ON THE CONDUCT OF
VID OCONFERENCING 1

I. Preliminary Provision

1. Policy

(a) The condu t of videoconferencing1shall be considered as

an alternative mode to in-court proceedings, which remains to be the
primary mode in hearin cases.

(b) The presid ·ng judge or justice shall, at all times, supervise
and control the proceed ngs.

(c) The condu t of videoconferencing shall closely resemble

in-court hearings, with remote locations viewe d as extensions of the
1

courtroom. The dignity and solemnity required in an in-court hearing,

as well as the rules an practices on proper court decorum, shall be
strictly observed. 1 Perju and contempt laws shall apply.

(d) The rights of the accused to be present and defend in

person at every stage of he proceedings, to testify as a witness in his or
her own behalf, and to onfront and cross-examine the witness against
him or her at trial, are d emed observed when s'uch appearance and/or
testimony are done re otely through videoconferencing under these
Guidelines with his or h r consent.

(e) The confi entiality of attorney-client communications

shall always be preserve . The litigants and the,r counsel participating
in a videoconferencin shall be provided with private means of
1

communication whenev r necessary.

(f) The Rules f Court shall continue to be observed during

videoconferencing, ex ept with regard to the requirement that
witnesses shall give test mony in open court under Section 1, Rule 132
of the Revised Rules o Evidence, as well as I other special rules or
issuances of the Suprem Court.

(g) When any arty such as the accused Persons Deprived of

Liberty (PDLs) invoke eir constitutional right, lncluding their right to
confront witnesses in p rson at any stage of the proceeding, the court
shall grant the same an suspend the videoconferencing, unless denial
is warranted by a comp lling state interest or p4blic policy, as may be
determined by the justic or judge.

Based on Sub-item 3, Item I (General Provisions), Proposed Guidelines on the Use of

Videoconferencing Technology for the Rem te Appearance or Testimony of Certain PDLs (A.M. No. 19-05-
1
05-SC).
 -2-

2. Definition of Terms

(a) Videoconfe encing court hearings and proceedings,

including the taki g of testimony, : conducted through
videoconferencing tee ology, or the use of video, audio, and data
transmission devices 0 allow participants 1in different physical
1

locations to simultaneo sly communicate by seeing and hearing each

other. 2
I

Videoconferencin hearings can be fully 0r partially remote:

I
1. -remote videoconferencing hearings
videoconferencin where none of the participants is physically
present in court, s all participants appear1from remote locations
using the authori d platform. 1

ii. Parti Uy-remote videoconferencing hearings -

videoconferencin where at least one of the participants appears
physically in co rt, while the others I appear from remote
locations using th authorized platform.

(b) Participant - includes litigants,I counsel, testifying

witnesses, judges, justic s, essential court staff, 31and other interpreters.

(c) Compellin state interest - a valid or legitimate interest

of the State so paramo nt as to justify limiting or subordinating the
constitutionally-protecte rights of the accused.41

(d) Public poli y - principles and standards regarded by the

legislature or courts as eing of fundamental concern to the state and
- I
the whole of society.'

(e) High-risk iL - a PDL who is:

1. harged with violationls of laws penalizing

errorism and terrorism-related offenses;
I

2
Definition of "Videoconferenci g" under Item Ill, Proposed1 Guidelines on the Use of
Videoconferencing Technology for the Rem te Appearance or Testimony of Gertain PDLs (A.M. No. 19-05-
05-SC).
3
Based on WI Stat§ 885.52 (2) (20 13 through Act 380).
4
See Uphaus v. Uyman, 360 U.S. 72 79 (1959); NAACP v. Button, 371 U.S. 415,438 (1963); Sherbert
v. Verner, 374 U.S. 398,406 (1963); Maryl dv. Craig, 497 U.S. 386 (1990) (a State 's interest in the physical
and psychological well-being of child abu e victims may be sufficiently important to outweigh, at least in
some cases, a defendant's right to face his r her accusers in court. That a significant majority of State have
enacted statutes to protect child witnesses om the trauma of giving testimony in child abuse cases attests to
the widespread belief in the importance such a public policy); Stepheri A. Siegel, The Origin of the
Compelling State Interest Test and Strict S rutiny, The American Journal of1Legal History, Oct. 2006, Vol.
48, No. 4,355 - 407. I
5
Public policy, Black's Law Dictio ary (10 th Ed. for the iPhone and iPad 20 14).
 - 3-

ii. ch ged with violation/s of laws penalizing crimes

against i emational humanitarian law, genocide, and
other crim s against humanity; or
iii. c nsidered a "high-value target" because of the
considera le threat he or she poses to the security of the
jail facilit es, the court, or the community, the risk of
escape or ttempted escape, and other safety and welfare
considerat ons in transporting him or her to and from the
jail and c urtroom. This includes, but is not limited to,
suspected embers of local and foreign terrorist groups,
and drug a d other organized crime syndicates.

(f) Consecuti e interpretation - mode of interpreting m

which the speaker ta s while the interpreter takes notes. The
interpreter then reprodu es what the speaker has said for the audience. 6

(g) Other int prefers - includes foreign language, local

dialect, and sign-lang age interpreters, other than court official
interpreters.

(h) Shared do ument repository7 - shared electronic storage

space that can be access d by authorized participants.

(i) Virtual lo by or waiting area - virtual space where

participants wait before they are admitted to the videoconferencing by
the court, as the host.

3. Coverage and Appli ability

(a) Courts co ered by the Guidelines. - These Guidelines

shall govern the cond t of videoconferencing before the first and
second level courts, Cou of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax
Appeals.

(b) Cases co ered by the Guidelines. - These Guidelines

shall apply to all actions nd proceedings, including small claims cases,
in whatever stage there f, as provided in the Rules of Court when,
based on the attending ircumstances, the court finds that the conduct
of videoconferencing wi 1 be beneficial to the fair, speedy, and efficient
administration of justice such as in the following instances:

6 See Consecutive Interpreting, Knowledge Centre on Interpretation, (available at

https://ec.europa.eu/education/knowledge-c ntre-interpretation/conference-interpreting/consecutive-
interpreting_en).
7 https://www.business.com/articles hat-is-document-repository/; Examples would be Files feature
in Microsoft Teams, One Drive, Google or· e, iCloud, Adobe Cloud, etc.
 - 4-

i. Acts of God, such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes,

or other unforese n events, and human-induced events, such as
fires, strikes, loc owns, those which limit physical access to the
courts, and othe instances posing threats to the security and
safety of the cou sand/or personnel;
ii. Periqds of public emergencies officially declared by
the concerned agency of the government; I
111. The nability or difficulty of a litigant, witness, or
counsel to physic lly appear in court due to security risks in his
or her transport i going to and from the court, real and apparent
danger to his o her life, security or I safety, serious health
concerns, vulner bility of the witness I due to age, physical
condition, disabil ty, or the fact that he or she is a victim of a
sexual offense or omestic violence;
iv. Whe the litigant or witness is a high-risk PDL, as
defined under the e Guidelines;
v. Whe the litigant or witness is a PDL committed in
a detention facilit ,8 or a Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL)
under A.M. No. 2-1-18-SC 9 committed in a center or facility
operated or accre ited by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (D WD);
v1. Whe the presence of a government agency
witness or an pert witness 11 is required
10
I
but for justifiable
grounds, he or sh cannot attend an in-court hearing;
vii. Whe a litigant or witness is an Overseas Filipino
Worker or Filipi o residing abroad or temporarily outside the
Philippines;
vn1. Whe a litigant or witness is a non-resident foreign
national who, w ile in the Philippines, was involved in any
action pending be ore any court, and would like to appear and/or
testify remotely om overseas;
ix. Whep, based on the sound judgment of the court,
there are compelling reasons that justify the resort to
videoconferencin ; and

8
Based on Sub-item 2, Item II, Pro osed Guidelines on the Use of Videoconferencing Technology for
the Remote Appearance or Testimony o Certain PDLs (A.M. No. 19-05-05-SC). As a policy, PDLs
committed in national penitentiaries are no allowed to be brought outside said penal institutions to appear or
attend proceedings before any court, excep by express authority of the Court (19 November 2013 Resolution
in A.M. No. 13-11-07-SC), resulting in eit er the waiver of their right to be present at any stage of trial, or
the archival of the criminal case and susp nsion of the proceedings "until t~e Court shall have adopted the
appropriate rules governing the continuati n of proceedings where the accused refuses to waive his ( or her
right) to be present" (10 November 2015 esolution in A.M. No. 15-08-07~SC (Re: Administrative Matter
for Agenda Requesting the Transfer of Ven 1e ofPending Case/s Wherein the Accused is Currently Detained
at the National Penitentiary by Virtue ofa onviction in Another Case).
9
Rule on Juveniles in Conflict wit the Law.
10 Based on Sec. 5BAA, Evidence Audio and Audio Visual Links) Act 1998 (New South Wales):
"Subject to any applicable rules of court, a government agency witness must, unless the court otherwise
directs, give evidence to the court by audio ink or audio visual link from any place within New South Wales."
These can cover forensic chemists and pol' ce officers, especially those who have been re-assigned in other
regions/provinces. 1

11
Whether locally-based or abroad.
 -5 -

x. Sue other circumstances 1or grounds that may

hereafter be declared by the Supreme Court as sufficient to
justify the condu t of videoconferencing.
I
I
(c) These Guider es shall be applicable 1during the duration of
the current pandemic a d thereafter, unless revoked or modified by the
I
Supreme Court.

II. General Procedure

I
1. Immediate order for the conduct of videoconferencing. -
In the instances covered under Item I (3)(b)(i), (i'i), (iv), (v), and (x), the
court may motu pro io order that hearings or proceedings be
conducted through vid oconferencing. High-risk PDLs under Item I
(3)(b)(iv) shall exclude hose considered as "high-value targets," which
shall be the subject of a motion under the next paragraph.

2. Videoconfe encing initiated by m0tion of a party. - A

party or counsel may, by motion, request thp.t the proceedings be
conducted via videoc nferencing. To expe<ilite the resolution of
motions to conduct hea ings through videoconferencing based on Item
1(3 )(b)(iii), (vi) to (ix), the movant shall file ~t electronically and/or
personally with the cou , serving a copy on the1adverse litigant by the
same means, at least en (10) calendar days before the scheduled
hearing dates.
I
a. Content of the motion. - Tqe motion to conduct
hearings through ideoconferencing mus1J include the following:

(i) the grounds being invoked by the movant;

(ii) documentary and obj~ct evidence to support
the gro,1.md being invoked;
(iii) the proceedings proppsed to be conducted
through vi eoconferencing; 1

(iv) the names of the witnesses to be presented

and the su maries of their testimo~ies;
( v) the expected location of each participant;
(vi) the e-mail addresse1s of the concerned
litigants, ir counsel, and the withesses to be presented;
(vii) special requirements: necessary for the
specific vi eoconferencing, if any, such as specialized
software fi the presentation of videos, and the like; and
(viii statement that the m9vant and the intended
witnesses re technically ready to participate in the
videoconfe encing.

b. Com ent on or opposition I to the motion. - The

I
adverse litigants shall file within five · (5) calendar days from
I
I
 -6-

receipt of the mo1ion their comment or cipposition, which shall

be filed and servi electronically and/or ~ersonally.

c. Couf 's action on the motion. - The court shall

resolve the moti n within five (5) cal~ndar days before the
scheduled videoc nferencing, with or without the comment or
opposition from t e adverse litigant. 1

Should the court grant the motion, it shall issue an order,

to be served elect onically, containing the following matters:
1

(i) the date and time of the videoconferencing;

(ii) the proceedings covered;
(iii) the names of the witnbsses and the nature of
their testim mes;
(iv) the expected location 0f each participant;
(v) the software or platform to be used for the
videoconfe encing;
(vi) the e-mail addresses of the participants as
reflected in court records and to be used for the purpose of
the video onferencing, with no~ice that said e-mail
addresses are deemed valid unless the concerned
participant informs the court of apy changes thereto at
least thre (3) calendar days lI>efore the scheduled
videoconfe encing hearing; and
(vii) such other matters as may be necessary to
1

define the arameters of the videoconferencing.

Should the ourt deny the motion, in-court hearings shall

proceed as sched ed.

The order o the court granting or qenying the motion for

videoconferencin shall not be subject to a motion for
reconsideration, ppeal or certiorari, ex'cept on constitutional
grounds.

3. Electronic ling and service of pleadings and court

submissions. - Electro ic filing and service of pleadings shall be
governed by the relevan provisions of the Rules of Court and pertinent
or relevant issuances of he Supreme Court.

4. No cancellatio of scheduled videocorzferencing hearings -

Except on meritorious rounds, the justice or judge shall not cancel
scheduled videoconfere cing hearings.

5. Orders and ac ions issued during videbconferencing. - The

court shall issue its ord rs during the videoconferencing as if done in
open court. Such orde s shall have the same effect for purposes of
 -7 -

periods and remedies t at may be availed of bf the litigants. On the

same day, the court s~all send electronic copies of said open court
orders to the litigants a d their counsel. The court shall produce hard
copies of the order, whi h shall form part of thelrecords of the case.
I

6. Minutes of vi eocoriferencing hearings. - It is sufficient that

the minutes of the vide conferencing hearings i~ signed by the clerk of
court, which shall form art of the records of the case.

A. Pre-Hearing Pr parations

1. Official s tware or platform Jo~ videoconferencing. -

Courts shall conduct ·ideoconferencing by using only the secure
software or platform a thorized and provided by the Supreme Court,
which contains or inte ates the official e-mail1accounts of the courts
and an application to ost the virtual hearings,I
with the capacity to
record and store the sa e.

2. Sufficient ime to prepare equipfnent and facilities for

videoconferencing. - Su ficient time shall be given by the court to allow
court personnel and t e participants appearirtg remotely to test in
advance the system to e used, to resolve technical problems, and to
ensure proper and clear audio-video connectiod. For this purpose, the
court shall ensure that there are no technical issues regarding the
conduct of the videoc nferencing at least one (1) day before the
scheduled videoconfere cing hearing.

3. Notices, in itations and links for videoconferencing. - The

following shall be obse ed prior to a videoconferencing:

a. The court shall send out to all concerned

participants' resp ctive e-mail addresses the invitation or link to
the videoconfere cing at least twenty-four (24) hours before the
scheduled hearin . Separate invitations or links shall be sent for
morning and afte oon videoconferencing sessions.

b. Upo receipt of the invitation or link, participants

shall immediat ly respond to the I invite or send an
acknowledgment e-mail confirming the receipt of the link to the
videoconferencin . Proofs of receipt of the invitations shall be
properly recorde by the court.

c. Any participant who has not received an invitation

or link at least ~wenty-four (24) hours I before the scheduled
videoconferencinf;, or who cannot access it shall immediately
inform the court df such fact through e-m1il, phone call, or other
electronic means.
 -8-

d. The invitation or link must1be treated with strict

confidentiality a9d shall not be shared by its recipient with any
other person. Ho ever, in the case of counsel, if they are unable
to participate in t e scheduled videoconf~rencing and have to be
substituted by an ther, they must inform the court at least twenty-
1

four (24) hours efore the scheduled hec;i,ring so the court may
notify the substit te counsel. The unauthorized sharing of the
invitation or link ay be considered a contempt of court.

e. Parti ipants appearing remotely

I
must be at the
virtual or waitin lobby at least twenty (20) minutes before the
scheduled videoc nferencing.

4. Technical pers nnel in remote locations. - Where litigants and

I

witnesses are testifying om remote locations, there must be technical

personnel present in t ese remote locations to assist and address
technical issues that m y arise during the videoconference. In the
absence of technical p rsonnel, the litigants or witnesses testifying
remotely shall assure t court of their capability to address technical
issues.

5.Public acce s to videoconferencing hearings.12 - Any

individual who wishes t attend a videoconferencing hearing shall send
a request to the conce ned court at least three (3) days before the
scheduled hearing thr ugh the court's official email address and
provide the following i formation:

a. Full name;
b. E-mail addres ;
c. Contact numb r;
d. Scanned copy of a government-issued ID bearing his or her
photograph and signatu e; and
e. Interest in atte ding the videoconferencing hearing. 13

The court shall se d the invitation or link to the videoconference

through e-mail at least twenty-four (24) hour~ before the scheduled
hearing. The invitation r link must be treated with strict confidentiality
and shall not be share by its recipient with any other person. The I

unauthorized sharing o its details and information may be considered

a contempt of court. In ividuals must be at the virtual or waiting lobby
at least twenty (20) min tes before the schedulep videoconferencing.

12

13
l
Based on OCA Circular No. 166- 020 dated 9 October 2020 (Public Access to Videoconferencing
Hearings). 1

The court may ask the public who wish to attend the videoconferenping hearing for their interest in
doing so, considering that the public is no part of the definition of "participants" under these Guidelines,
which is based on the Wisconsin statute. 1
 -9 -

The court shall h :ve the discretion to refuse access if it finds that
the information given is erroneous or fictitious. It may, likewise,
exclude the public whe the evidence to be adduced is of such nature
as to require their excl sion in the interest of morality or decency 14 or
when a child witness ill testify. 15 The court inay immediately order
an individual's remov 1 from a videoconferenbing hearing to protect
and preserve the dignit and solemnity of the proceedings.

B. Hearing Proper

1. Location o justices or judges, and court personnel during

videoconferencing. - J stices or judges shall preside over, while court
personnel shall attend, ideoconferencing heariilgs from the courtroom
or chambers at all time . In exceptional circumstances, and with prior
permission from the Pre iding Justice or Execut~ve Justices of the Court
of Appeals, justices ay conduct videoconferencing from remote
locations within their territorial jurisdictions. Sandiganbayan and
1

Court of Tax Appeals ju tices, with prior permission from the Presiding
Justices, may likewis conduct videoconferencing from remote
locations. For trial cou judges, with prior permission from the Office
of the Court Administr tor (OCA), they may preside or attend from
remote locations, prov <led they do so withiri their court's judicial
reg10n.

In all cases, said permission shall be reflected or stated in any

order to be issued by th court during the videoconferencing hearing.

2. Location interpreter. - An interpreter other than the

court interpreter partici ating in a videoconference may either be co-
located with the remote itness, in court, or in another remote location.
When the interpreter pa icipates from a remote1 location, the technical
arrangements, includin acoustics and quality of sound, in such remote
location shall be tested eforehand to ensure that the interpretation will
be properly understood y all participants.

3. Use of earpho es or headsets. - Participants are encouraged

to use earphones or h adsets during videoco.i;iferencing, unless the
courtroom or remote ocations from which they participate have
dedicated videoconfere cing solutions with noi~e cancellation features
in place.

4. Videoconfe encing colloquy and protocol for speaking and

technical difficulties. - t the beginning of the yideoconferencing, the
court shall conduct a col oquy with the participants appearing remotely
(see Annex A). It shall lso inform the particip~nts of the protocol for

14
Sec. 2, Rule 135, Rules of Court. I
15
Sec. 23, A.M. No. 00-4-07-SC (R le on Examination of a Child Wi~ess).
 - 10 -

speaking, which inclu es the order in which the participants shall be

speaking, procedures for interrupting anotlrer participant, raising
objections during the earing, and conferring 'privately with counsel.
When interpretation is to be used, participants shall be instructed to
speak at an appropriate pace and to articulate aiid project their voice.

Participants shal also be informed of the procedure that the

courts shall adopt for lerting the presiding justice or judge of any
technical difficulties en ountered during the hearing.

5. Virtual ins ection ofremote locations. -At the start of the

videoconferencing he ing, the court shall require participants at
remote locations to pa their cameras across tHe room to demonstrate
that they are alone in th room, the windows and doors are closed, and
there are no unauthoriz d means of communication available to them.
This is to ensure that th · re will be no coaching or disturbance that may
affect the proceedings. In the case of child witnesses, the court may
allow them to testify i the presence of the persons enumerated in
Section 25(g)(l) of A. . No. 004-07-SC.

6. Indication in case records of the conduct of

videoconferencing and he locations ofparticipants. - The conduct of
videoconferencing and he respective locations of the participants shall
be indicated in the c e records. Court orders issued during the
videoconferencing hea ,ings shall reflect such facts, including any
inconvenience or di 1culty experienced, and technical issues
encountered which mig t affect the regularity of the proceedings.

7. View and ound of speaking participants. - Participants

speaking or testifying ust always be seen from a frontal angle and
heard clearly by all the other participants. In all cases, the
videoconferencing hear ng shall be conducted in such a way that will
not impede the court fro exercising its crucial role in detennining the
credibility of the witne ses and their testimonies notwithstanding the
remote observation of the latter's demeanor, conduct, and attitude
during the taking of thei electronic testimonies.

8. Recording the videoconferenci1g hearing. - The

proceedings through vi eoconferencing shall be recorded by the court.
1

It shall form part of the ecords of the case, appending thereto relevant
electronic documents t ken up or issued during the hearing. An
encrypted master copy hall be retained by the court, while a backup
copy shall be stored in a safe location. Litigants' and their counsel may
be allowed to view the r cording upon application with and approval of
the court. The court ste ographer or other recotder authorized for the
purpose shall, nonethel ss, still transcribe ste~ographic notes to be
attached to the records o the case.
 - 11 -

Participants and other persons attending videoconferencing

hearings are strictly p ohibited from recording any portion of the
proceedings through an means. Any unautholiized recording shall be
considered a contempt of court, and must be permanently deleted or
surrendered to the cou for disposal. '
I
9. Sign.ing o documents during videoconferencing. - The
OCA shall issue guidelines concerning the digital signing of documents
during videoconferenci g.

10. Suspension r discontinuance of videoconferencing. - The

court may, at any poi t during the videoconferencing, suspend the
proceedings should any echnical issue tending to I
taint the regularity or
fairness of the proceed· gs arise. Should the said technical issue remain
I

unresolved despite eff rts to fix the same, the court may altogether
•

discontinue the procee ings. The same action shall be taken when
matters arise warrantin the physical appearance of a litigant or witness
in the courtroom. In 11 cases, the reason/s for the suspension or
discontinuance shall be eflected in an order to be issued by the court.

C. Presentation of vidence

l. Document ry evidence and judicial affidavits. - Subject

to the provisions of the Rules on Evidence and of the Rules of Civil
Procedure, for purposes fthese Guidelines, docµmentary evidence and
judicial affidavits, inclu ing attachments thereto, unless already part of
the records of the cas , shall be filed and served at least three (3)
calendar days prior to t e scheduled videoconferencing.

Colored and legi le electronic copies of these documents shall

also be made availab e through e-mail or the shared document
repository of the court, t ensure that all concerned participants receive
the exact copies, unedit ble by any of them.

During the video onferencing, the court rpay direct a counsel to

share documentary evi ence on-screen. Means shall be provided for
sharing and viewing hese documents for purposes of marking,
authenticating and prese ting them, such as through document cameras,
digital screen-sharing nction of the videoconferencing software or
platform, and other elec ronic means.

Should the e ibition, examination or viewing of the

documentary evidence e rendered impossible, insufficient or difficult
by the limitations of the latform or for some other compelling reasons,
in-court hearings may i1,stead be ordered by the court for the purpose
of presenting or comp le ing the testimony of a witness.
1

I
 - 12 -

2. Object evi ence. - Object evidefce may be presented

during videoconferenci g if the same can be exhibited to, examined or
viewed by all particip ts, by displaying the object on the screen, or
physically showing it o the witness testifying thereto at his or her
1

location within full vie of the participants.

Should the marki g of exhibits or the ex<,llllination of the object

evidence be rendered impossible, insufficient or difficult by the
f
limitations of the platfi rm or for some other easons, the court may
I

direct that in-court h arings be held instead for the purpose of

presenting the same or marking or identification, presenting or
1

completing the testimo y of the witness.

3. Use of int pretation during videohonjerencing. - Where

interpretation is requir d during videoconfer~ncing, the court shall
require consecutive inte pretation in the taking of testimonial evidence.
The interpreter shall al ays have a clear frontal ~iew of all participants
who will be speaking t allow him or her to observe lip movements,
expressions and other on-verbal communicafions, avoid ambiguity
and provide more accur te interpretation. The interpreter may move to
interrupt the proceedin s if the language becomes inaudible or the
video unclear. 1

4. Private co munications between litigants and counsel. -

When litigants and thei counsel are not present at the same location
during videoconferenci g, they shall be permi~ed to confer privately
without the other partic pants overhearing them through the provision
of means such as secure hone lines, separate meeting rooms within the
I

videoconferencing platfi rm, and other suitable electronic means.

III. Additional Procedure n Criminal Cases

I. Motion to cond ct videoconferencing bx the warden. - In cases

involving high-risk PDL alleged to be high value targets and those with
serious health conditio s, the motion to conduct videoconferencing
may be filed by the jail arden of the jail or detention facility where the
concerned PDLs are bei g detained or held.

When the videoco ferencing is intended to allow an accused PDL

to testify or attend the p ceedings, the motion may be granted ex parte
by the court.

2. Notices and se ice to PDLs and CfCL. - Notices and service

of pleadings, motions, d other court papers t6 PDLs may be sent to
the official e-mail addrr ss provided by the p~rson in charge of the
detention center or jail ficility where the PDLs a~e currently being held
or detained. With resp ct to CICL committed :in a center or facility
 - 13 -

operated or accredited y the DSWD, notices may be sent to the official

e-mail address of the prrson in charge of the ~enter or facility where
they are committed. 1

3. PDLs and CJ, L appearing from re111rote locations. - PDLs

participating remotely shall appear from an enclosed room in the
detention center or jail facility where they are being detained or held.
Jail facilities and detent on centers shall ensure that they have sufficient
rooms, equipment, an facilities appropriate for videoconferencing,
even when such procee ings need to be conducted simultaneously by
different courts. In the case of CICL committed in a center or facility
operated or accredited by the DSWD, they I shall testify from an
enclosed room in such enter or facility. 1

I
4. Location of c unsel for PDLs and CICL. -At the option of
PDLs and CICL, whic choice shall be made on record at the start of
the videoconference, th ir counsel may be physically present with them
at the jail facility or etention center, in court, or in other remote
locations. PDLs and ICL and their counsel shall be provided with
facilities or means to pri ately communicate with each other throughout
the videoconferencing.
I
5. Certificate of rraignment. - It is sufficient that the clerk of
court issues a certificat on that the accused was arraigned, personally
entered a plea of guilty or not guilty, or refused to enter a plea, as the
case may be.

6. Promulgation ofjudgment. - If decisions or judgments are

promulgated through videoconferencing w~th the accused as
participants, said accuse shall enjoy all the remedies available to them
and within the period pr vided under the Rules of Court, as if they were
physically present in co t during promulgation.

IV. Additional Procedure i r Videoconferencing for Overseas Filipino

I
Workers, Filipinos Res.ding Abroad or Temporarily Outside the
Philippines, and Non-re ident Foreign Nationals

1. Videoconfe encing from Philippine embassies or

consulates. - Litigants and witnesses who are Overseas Filipino
Workers, Filipinos re iding abroad or temporarily outside the
I
Philippines, or non-re ident foreign nationals who would like to
participate or testify thr ugh videoconferencing inay do so upon proper
I
motion with the co rt where the case I is pending. Such
videoconferencing ma be conducted only from an embassy or
I
consulate of the Philipp· es.
 - 14-

Philippine em assies and consulates shall conduct

videoconferencing in icordance with the technical and operational
standards laid out in th se Guidelines.
I
2. General pro edure applicable. The general procedure
outlined in these Guide ines shall be applicable insofar as these are not
inconsistent with the pr visions under this section.
I
3. Motion for videoconferencing. - The motion shall be filed
by the litigants interest d to avail of videoconferencing.

The same require ents for the contents of the motion under Item
II (2)(a) of these Guidel"nes shall apply, with the1additional requirement
that the concerned emb ssy or consulate of the Philippines
I
has allowed
the use of its facilities r videoconferencing. }Vhen the assistance of
an interpreter is neede in the videoconferen~ing, the movant shall
secure the services oft e official interpreter of the Philippine embassy
or consulate.
I
4. Embassy o consulate to be furnished with a copy of the
court order. - Should t e court grant the motionlor videoconferencing,
it shall also furnish the oncemed Philippine embassy or consulate, by
the fastest means availa le, a copy of the said otder.
I

5. Costs of vi eoconferencing from a Philippine embassy or

I
consulate. - The mova t shall defray all the expenses and costs that
may be necessary for the conduct of videoconferencing from an
embassy or consulate o the Philippines.

I
V. Facilities, Equipment nd Training for Video~onferencing

l. Minimum equirements for technology, facilities and

equipment. - The techn logy, facilities and equipment to be used must
be of such quality as t allow the conduct 0£ videoconferencing as
prescribed by these Gu"delines. These must allow the participants to
clearly observe the de eanor, non-verbal comrimnications, and facial
expressions of the othe participants, and see ahd hear what is taking
1

place in the courtroom d remote locations.

For this purpose courtrooms shall be equipped with laptops

and/or computers, vi eo cameras, microphbnes, speakers, high
definition monitors, pri ter-scanners, and other facilities needed for
documentary and obje t evidence, sufficient ih specifications, size,
number, and placement.
 - 15 -

Jail facilities and etention centers shall li~ewise ensure that they
have sufficient eq ipment and facilities appropriate for
videoconferencing, eve when such proceedings need to be conducted
simultaneously by diffe ent courts. :

2. Telephone ines and internet connrctivity. - Courts shall

be provided with teleph ne lines and internet c9nnectivity of sufficient
bandwidth to support t e conduct of simultanepus videoconferencing
hearings in accordance ith these Guidelines. I

3. Room set- and layout. - The courts, agencies or local

government units man ging the penal institutions and/or detention
centers, and other par icipants to videoconferencing hearings shall
ensure that the layout, li hting, acoustics, furnit¥re design and decor of
the courtroom and remo e locations, as the case may be, are optimal and
appropriate for videoco ferencing purposes.

4. Technical ersonnel. - There shall :be dedicated technical

personnel in the co rt to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair
videoconferencing equi ment and manage internet connectivity.
I
5. Technical JJraining. - Justices,judges and concerned court
1

personnel shall under o orientation seminar : workshops on these

Guidelines, and the basic and essential features of the
videoconferencing soft are or platform and equipment.

VI. Gross Misconduct in

I
I
Any intentional disrupti n of digital communications intended to deny
participation by any party, coa hing of any witness preJented for examination,
and knowingly presenting f. lsified digital images I or evidence shall be
considered as gross miscondu t and shall be dealt with severely.

VII. Repealing Clause

I
All prior Supreme Cou issuances inconsistent with these Guidelines
1

are hereby repealed or modifie accordingly.

VIII. Transitory Provisions

1. Courts shal continue to conduct videoconferencing using

available facilities, equi ment, computers, gadiets and devices, until
such time that those pre cribed under these Gui4elines are available.
 - 16-

2. The Man ement Information Systems Office of the

Supreme Court and the anagement Information Systems Divisions of
the tertiary courts shal ensure that the internet connections of their
concerned courts are s itable for videoconferencing as contemplated
under these Guidelines, and shall make the necessary recommendation
for the procurement of igher quality internet coimections or upgrading
of bandwidth when nee ed.

IX. Reporting and Review

The OCA shall s a mechanism in place for the reporting of the

experience, issues, a d challenges encoun~ered by the courts,
participants, and o er stakeholders m the conduct of
videoconferencing, for he regular review and improvement of these
Guidelines.

X. Posting

These Guidelines shall be posted in every courtroom and floor of

all halls of justice natio ide, the Supreme Cou* website, Office of the
Court Administrator we site, websites of the tertiary courts, and offices
of concerned govemm nt agencies, penal institutions and detention
1

centers, the Integrated B r ofthe Philippines and other Bar associations.

XI. Effectivity

These Guidelines hall take effect on Janu~ry 16, 2021 , following

its publication in two (2 newspapers of general 1circulation.
I
 Annex A

VIDEOCON ERENCING COLLdQUY 1

To guarantee the right of litigants and protect the court records, the
court shall follow these pr cedures on the record at the start of each
videoconferencing hearing:
I
1. Justice/Judge should i ntify the persons appearing remotely and then
1

identify themselves and their court.

2. Questions for defendan:

a. "Can you hear m ?"

b. "Can you see me "

c. "If, at any time, here is a problem with your ability to hear or

1

see what is happe ing in this videoconferencing hearing, you are

to immediately in orm the court by unmut~ng yourself and saying
so."

d. "Do you underst nd that you are testifying in connection with

[Case title an Case Number] today I
by means of
videoconferencin before a court of law?1'

e. "Do you object t the use of videoconferencing in making your

testimony?" If y s, the court needs to rule on that objection.
1

f. "Even though y r testimony and participation in this case is

occurring from a emote location, the sarrte rules apply as if you
were physically p esent in court."

g. "Who is in the ro m with you at this time?"

I
h. "If at any time a yone in your room, other than your counsel,
tells you what to say or tries to influence your answers in any
1

way, you are to i mediately inform the court."

1
Based on the Waukesha County ( ounty) Video Appearance Colloquy (Wisconsin Supreme Court
1
Planning and Policy Advisory Committe9 and Videoconferencing Subcommittee, Bridging the Distance:
Implementing Videoconferencing in _I Wisconsin, August 2017, Appendix C, available at
h s://www.wicourts. 0 ov/courts/committees/docs/ acvidconf. d and T elephonic and Vide Hearings
Colloquy, United States istrict Court of 1Maine (available at
h s://www.med.uscourts. ov/o t/sites/de ault/files/COVID-
19 Tele honic and Video Conference S ri t. df).
 -2-

I
1. "If, at any time, d ring this hearing you -vvrould like to speak with
your lawyer, plea e let the court know and I/we will give you the
opportunity to pr· ately confer with him/~er.

3. Remind the particiriants and other persons attending the

videoconferencing oftht prohibition against ph~tographing, recording,
and rebroadcasting of Jthe court proceedings.1 Violations of these
prohibitions may result 'n sanctions, including contempt of court.

4. Identify for those appe ring from a remote location any person in the
courtroom who may no be visible to them. 1f1the litigant or counsel
wishes to see a particul r individual, the court shall accommodate the
request if appropriate.
I
5. Determine on record w ether the equipment to be used and the remote
location(s) meet the mi imum standards for vi~eoconferencing under
the Guidelines approve by the Supreme Court. 1