MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) Office in Quezon City is now closed over concerns regarding the safety of its employees and the public after defects were found in the building’s structure. Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo, who heads House contingent to the HRET, said that HRET chairperson Associate Justice Marvic Leonen has already signed an order declaring the physical closure of the HRET office starting August 20, Thursday. “The risks are too high for the HRET employees and the public who have transactions with the Tribunal to stay in the building. Thus, access to the offices shall only be limited to obtaining and returning of records or documents for office work,” he added. For now, Salo said HRET employees shall continue their work under a work-from-home scheme to ensure that the cases being handled by the Tribunal are still being attended.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 21, 2020 12:44 UTC