The Supreme Court kept court operations suspended in several parts of Mindanao on Tuesday, June 9, after a strong offshore earthquake damaged infrastructure and raised safety concerns in affected areas.
In an advisory, the high court said localized work suspensions remained in force while authorities assessed the structural condition of court buildings.
The SC said the closures were meant to protect court personnel, litigants, lawyers, and the public as engineers checked whether courthouses remained safe for use.
Covered by the suspension were all courts in Sarangani province, along with several courts in Davao del Sur, including those located at the Hall of Justice in Davao City and courts in Hagonoy, Matanao, Padada, and Kiblawan.
Court work was also suspended in parts of Davao Occidental, including Malita, Santa Maria, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Sarangani, and Balut Island.
In Davao del Norte, the suspension covered courts in Panabo City, while in Davao Oriental, affected courts included those in Mati City, Lupon, Baganga, Cateel, Boston, Caraga, Manay, and Tarragona.
The advisory also covered all courts at the Hall of Justice in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, as well as courts in Surallah, Polomolok, Koronadal City, and General Santos City in South Cotabato.
The Supreme Court said it continued to monitor the situation as local assessments proceeded in areas affected by the earthquake.
