The Supreme Court (SC) is now allowing videoconferencing from Philippine embassies or consulates abroad for court hearings.

In Circular 133-2021 released on Wednesday, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said motions for videoconferencing from Philippine embassies or consulates may now be acted upon subject to conditions, primarily that the concerned embassy or consulate allows the use of its facilities for videoconferencing.

He also said videoconferencing hearings must be scheduled during the working hours of the Philippine courts, with proper coordination with the concerned embassy or consulate, at the expense of the party which sought the videoconferencing.

The guidelines on videoconferencing with respect to the remote appearance from abroad has been suspended last Feb. 1 and again on May 5 upon the request of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

Locsin had raised concerns on the need to consider concerns raised by foreign service posts such as the extraterritorial application of Philippine laws and operational concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic and other circumstances. (PNA)