1.
Courts
are the defenders of the people's rights, especially their freedom of
expression
and assembly. Free speech and peaceable assembly, along with the
other intellectual freedoms, are highly ranked in our scheme of
constitutional
values.
These
freedoms, however,
are not absolute. The right of a citizen to use the streets for
communication
of views on national questions must be balanced with the need of our
courts
for an atmosphere that will enable them to dispense justice free from
bias
and unnecessary pressure. The courts would not exist and survive
to protect the people's most revered rights if they were unable to
preserve
the integrity of judicial proceedings and the dignity of the
institution
from all forms of distracting, degrading and prejudicial influences
that
threaten the fair and orderly administration of justice.
2.
Demonstrators,
picketers, rallyists and all other similar persons are enjoined from
holding
any activity on the sidewalks and streets adjacent to, in front of, or
within a radius of two hundred (200) meters from, the outer boundary of
the Supreme Court Building, any Hall of Justice, and any other building
that houses at least one (1) court sala. Such activities
unquestionably
interrupt and hamper the working condition in the salas, offices and
chambers
of the courts.
3.
Demonstrators,
picketers, rallyists and their sympathizers must keep all public
thoroughfares
free and unimpeded to allow the smooth flow of vehicular and pedestrian
traffic. At no time should ingress to and egress from the
premises
of the courts and the offices of the courts and the offices of the
justices,
judges, and court officials and employees be obstructed.
4.
Demonstrators,
picketers, rallyists and their sympathizers are prohibited from camping
out on the streets, sidewalks or pavement adjacent to, in front of, or
within a radius of two hundred (200) meters from, the outer boundary of
the Supreme Court Building, any Hall of Justice, and any other building
that houses at least one (1) court sala. No provisional shelters
and kitchens, pickets' quarters, and other similar makeshift structures
shall be established in said areas.
5.
Lawyers
of parties with cases pending in courts have a duty to properly apprise
their clients on matters of decorum and proper attitude toward courts
of
justice when engaged in demonstrations, pickets, rallies and similar
activities.
As officers of the court, they must help to preserve the dignity of the
courts and to insulate the courts from all forms of influence that may
adversely affect judicial impartiality and violate a party's right to
due
process.
6.
Any violation
of this resolution shall be treated as contempt of court. Members
of the Bar violating this resolution may, in addition, be subject to
the
administrative sanctions of fine, imprisonment, suspension from the
practice
of law or disbarment as circumstances may warrant.
The Clerk
of Court
is directed to forthwith cause publication of these Guidelines in two
(2)
newspapers of general circulation. The Guidelines shall take
effect
upon the expiration of fifteen (15) days after such publication.
The Clerk
of Court
is further directed to furnish all lower courts, the Integrated Bar of
the Philippines, the PNP, and all agencies of local governments in
charge
of issuing permits to hold demonstrations, rallies, pickets and similar
activities, around the vicinity of courts of justice with copies of
this
Resolution.cralaw:red