TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Even if Malacañang has declared that tomorrow is a special non-working holiday throughout the country to enable Filipinos to exercise their right to vote, court employees still have to report for work.
In separate circulars issued by the Supreme Court and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), all judges and clerks of courts in lower courts and PAO personnel are duty-bound to serve, not in polling precincts, but in their respective courts and offices.
The circulars were issued to ensure that free legal assistance will be provided, especially to public school teachers who may be harassed while performing their election duties.