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Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila

EN BANC

A.M. No. 99-2-03-SC             February 9, 1999

IN RE: EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE COMMENT OR APPELLEE'S BRIEF BY THE OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL

Gentleman:

Quoted hereunder, for your information is a resolution of the Court En Banc dated February 9, 1999

IN RE: EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE COMMENT OR APPELLEE'S BRIEF BY THE OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL.

The Court notes that in cases involving the State, the Office of the Solicitor General too often asks for several extensions of time to file Comment or Appellee's Brief. While the Court appreciates the heavy workload of the Office of the Solicitor General, nonetheless, the practice of praying for too many extensions of time to plead does not promote the objective of speedy justice.

Accordingly, on its first motion for extension of time to file Comment or Appellee's' Brief, the Office of the Solicitor General shall forthwith be given an extension of sixty (60) days and ninety (90) days, respectively with a warning that no further extension shall be granted, unless compelling reason warrants a further extension, which shall in no case exceed twenty (20) days. In cases of extreme urgency, however, the period to plead that may be granted to the OSG can be shortened.

This resolution shall take effect on 15 March 1999 and shall be published in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Let copies of this resolution be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Davide Jr., C.J., Romero, Bellosillo, Melo, Puno, Vitug, Kapunan, Mendoza, Panganiban, Quisumbing, Purisima, Pardo, Buena and Gonzaga-Reyes, JJ.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) LUZVIMINDA D. PUNO             Chief of Court

By:

(Sgd.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA             Assistant Clerk of Court

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