Starting March 28, the Sandiganbayan is set to implement a four-day workweek that aims to "address the adverse effects" triggered by the recent oil price increases.
The Administrative Order No. 057-2022 signed by presiding justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang announced that "respective heads of office, all offices, divisions, and chambers are given the option to adopt a four-day workweek."
This means that employees will only be required to report on-site 10 hours a day for four days a week, with the official work hours starting from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
According to the order, at least one chief of offices or divisions and their assistants should be present every day to maintain senior management presence in the office five days a week.
Offices, divisions, and chambers that choose to enforce the four-day workweek should also ensure that they remain open from Monday to Friday, while the respective heads should guarantee that administrative and adjudicative functions are not impaired.
Filings and proceedings of pleadings and other court submissions shall be entertained from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., added the order.
For the security personnel, they shall maintain their existing round-the-clock rotation, with agency security and personnel to continue reporting for work based on a daily basis.
"All Justices, officials, and employees are reminded to strictly observe health and safety protocols," the order said.
Meanwhile, offices, divisions, and chambers that will not implement the four-day workweek shall maintain full on-site capacity and will remain open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The order after the recent surge of oil prices that were made worse by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. The development triggered calls for higher minimum fare and price increases for some basic goods.
