SC allows 4-day workweek in courts

PHILIPPINE courts will implement a four-day workweek and one-day work from home arrangements beginning March 9, following a directive from the Supreme Court (SC) to align the judiciary with national energy conservation efforts.

Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 02-2026, issued on Sunday, mandates the adoption of flexible work arrangements across the judiciary to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices and global energy market volatility.

The move follows Malacañang’s issuance of MC No. 114, which directed executive branch agencies to adopt similar measures as global oil prices surged due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said last week that the March 10-16 forecast in fuel includes an increase in gasoline prices by P7.48 per liter, diesel by P17.28 per liter, and kerosene by P32.35 per liter.

Under the new guidelines, lower courts, including the regional trial courts and metropolitan trial courts, will operate on a Monday-to-Thursday onsite schedule, with Fridays designated for remote work.

The Court of Appeals and the SC will also follow this arrangement, though the Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals are exempt to ensure the uninterrupted resolution of cases within their specific jurisdictions.

“The judiciary has to align its internal operations with the national policy on energy conservation, insofar as such alignment is consistent with the uninterrupted administration of justice,” the SC said in the circular, signed by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking