Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office

Here’s the latest from the Supreme Court of the Philippines, March 20, 2026: • SC rejects petition challenging validity of Manila ordinance raising garbage collection fees • UK Ambassador Hulton pays courtesy visit to SC Justices • SAJ Leonen: AI cannot replace human creativity and understanding • SAJ Leonen speaks at DHSUD session on gender and language • SC’s official YouTube channel receives Silver Play Button Full text of G.R. No. E-04417 (Tayam v. Domagoso): sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=161972 #SupremeCourtPH #SCphUpdates

#SCphPodcast EXCERPT: Does Republic Act No. 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, extend protection to women in lesbian relationships? Listen to the #SupremeCourtPH Podcast with guest Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Maria Theresa V. Mendoza-Arcega, Vice President of the International Association of Women Judges. Supreme Court Chief Communications Officer Atty. Mike Navallo and Justice Arcega talk about Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act within the context of the case of Jacinto v. Fouts, G. R. No. 250627. This resolution was penned by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting and decided by the Supreme Court Third Division on December 7, 2022. LISTEN to the FULL episode of this Podcast on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3t0Hyu… Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/sup… YouTube: youtu.be/rvQvwHtH8Wo SC website: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/podcasts/

WORK SUSPENSION: All courts in Tabaco, Albay suspend work on March 24, 2026, in observance of the City's Charter Day and the 25th Cityhood Founding Anniversary. The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCPhWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

WORK SUSPENSION: All first- and second-level courts in the Province of Aklan suspend work on March 23, 2026 in commemoration of the death anniversary of the 19 martyrs of Aklan. The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

The #SupremeCourtPH En Banc has approved the Governance Framework on the Use of Human-Centered Augmented Intelligence in the Judiciary, marking a significant step toward modernizing court operations and improving the administration of justice through new technologies. In a Resolution dated February 18, 2026, in A.M. No. 25-11-28-SC, the SC issued a comprehensive guide on the responsible use of human-centered augmented intelligence in the judicial system, based on three ethical principles: fairness, accountability, and transparency. These principles support “the ethical and responsible use of human-centered augmented intelligence tools in the Judiciary” and “reinforce the public’s faith and confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judicial system.” The Framework was developed by a working group chaired by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, with Associate Justices Ramon Paul L. Hernando and Rodil V. Zalameda as vice chairpersons. It was created with the help of other members of the Judiciary, subject matter experts, lawyers, and the academe, and further refined through consultations with the SC En Banc, the SC’s Management Information Systems Office, and the Office of the Chief Attorney. It also draws from global best practices, including the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices Governance Framework on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the ASEAN Judiciaries and UNESCO Guidelines for the Use of AI Systems in Courts and Tribunals, ensuring alignment with international standards. A key feature of the Framework is the use of the term “human-centered augmented intelligence,” which emphasizes that technology must remain centered on humans and should only support, not replace, human reason and judgment. Read the press release at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=162306. Read the full text of A.M. No. 25-11-28-SC at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/25-11-28-sc-re…

WORK SUSPENSION: MTC of Palanan, Isabela suspends work on March 23, 2026 in celebration of Araw ng Palanan and Ika-125 Anibersaryo ng Pagtatapos ng Unang Republika ng Pilipinas. The court shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

WORK SUSPENSION: RTCs, MTCCs, Offices of the Clerk of Court in the Hall of Justice of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental suspend work on March 19, 2026 beginning at 3:00 PM due to the ongoing transport strike. The court shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

Newly uploaded pleadings in current cases involving public interest: G.R. No. E-02202 (Peter B. Payoyo v. Hon. Lucas P. Bersamin, Hon. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, and Hon. Peter N. Tiangco) - Petition for Certiorari & Prohibition sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=162276 Copies of recent pleadings and orders in cases involving public interest are regularly uploaded to the Current Cases page of the #SupremeCourtPH website. SCAN the QR Code for the latest uploads.

WORK SUSPENSION: All courts in Paniqui, Tarlac suspend work on March 23, 2026 in celebration of Sikhayani Festival. The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

WORK SUSPENSION: RTC Branch 5-FC in Dingras, and MCTC of Dingras-Marcos, Ilocos Norte suspend work on March 19, 2026 in celebration of the Ani Festival. The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

WORK SUSPENSION: First- and second-level courts in the Municipality of Brooke’s Point, Palawan suspend work on March 19, 2026 pursuant to Proclamation No. 1195. The filing of time-bound pleadings and the issuance of time-bound resolutions and decisions, except in matters requiring immediate court action (applications for bail, release orders, writs of habeas corpus, and other similar urgent reliefs), are SUSPENDED until normal court operations resume. The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

WORK SUSPENSION: 5th MCTC of Naguilian-Reina Mercedes, Isabela suspends work on March 19, 2026 in celebration of its 2026 Patronal Town Fiesta. The court shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

WORK SUSPENSION: All first- and second-level courts of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon suspend work on March 23, 2026 in celebration of the 28th Charter Anniversary of Malaybalay City. The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙟𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙧𝙮! Marking its 125th Anniversary, the Supreme Court invites you to witness the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐧 happening on March 22, 2026—taking place simultaneously across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao! With the theme "𝐒𝐏𝐉𝐈: 𝐈𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝", this momentous event brings together Judiciary employees from all the judicial regions in a unified stride toward health, camaraderie, and excellence in public service. From every corner of the country, we run as one—stronger, faster, and more committed than ever. #SPJIInFullSpeed2026 Read the full text of the press release at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=162196

WORK SUSPENSION: RTC Branch 24 and MTC of Echague, Isabela suspend work on March 19, 2026 in celebration of its 163rd Founding Anniversary and the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

WORK SUSPENSION: First- and second-level courts in Tanauan City, Batangas suspend work on March 18, 2026 starting at 9:00AM due to a scheduled power interruption. The courts shall have sufficient staff members to act on urgent requests for bail, orders of release, writs of habeas corpus, and similar urgent reliefs. #SCphWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

Speakers during the GST included Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Maria Theresa V. Mendoza-Arcega and Court of Appeals Associate Justice Jaime Fortunato A. Caringal. READ: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=162148

Reaffirming its commitment to building an inclusive and responsive judicial system, the #SupremeCourtPH (SC), through its Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary (CGRJ), held the fifth leg of the Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) for the Judiciary in February 2026 in General Santos City, South Cotabato. Conducted in partnership with the Philippine Judicial Academy, the training followed earlier sessions in Baguio, Legazpi, Panglao, and Subic. Around 150 participants joined the General Santos leg, including judges, clerks of court, court legal researchers, stenographers, court social workers, and other judiciary personnel. SC Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Co-Chairperson of the CGRJ, said the initiative aims to help judges and court employees recognize gender-based issues and confront unconscious biases. CGRJ Co-Chairperson SC Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez delivered a lecture on Gender-Fair Language in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette. These guidelines, issued by the SC En Banc on February 15, 2022, are meant to combat sexist language in the Judiciary.