SC suspends court work in NCR due to Taal ashfall

Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta ordered the suspension of work in all courts in the National Capital Judicial Region (NCJR) on January 13 due to Taal Volcano's Alert Level 4 and ashfall in Metro Manila.

This suspension also covers the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals.

Earlier, Peralta had granted executive judges in Batangas the discretion to suspend court work to ensure the safety of personnel and litigants.

Presiding justices and executive judges were directed to secure court facilities, equipment, and records, and to attend to urgent matters.

Phivolcs raised Taal Volcano's alert level to 4, indicating a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.

The intensified eruptive activity produced a 10-15 kilometer ash column with volcanic lightning, causing ashfall as far as Quezon City.