MANILA, Philippines — For the next 10 months, court employees will be banned from wearing mini skirts and collarless shirts as well as answering cell phone calls along court hallways.

Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin recently announced during his visit to the Quezon City Hall of Justice that he would impose the ban along the hallways of all regional trial courts (RTCs) as well as the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), Court of Appeals (CA) and the Supreme Court (SC).

Bersamin, who retires on Oct. 18 next year, has said that he will implement a dress code to bring back the respectable image of the judiciary.

“It’s high time we went back to that image of the judiciary that is very respected, the judiciary that is conscious of its place in society,” he said.

Therefore, during his term as chief magistrate, he advised court employees that he is imposing a dress code wherein “for the women, if you are wearing a collarless shirt, wear a blazer… If you are a male member of the judiciary or a male employee of the judiciary, your work attire should have a collar. Do not wear clothes with loud colors please,” he added.

The Chief Justice also told court employees that they should not be seen using their cellular phones in public areas of the court such as corridors, lobbies and elevators.

“If ever a cellphone rings and you are to answer, please go inside the room, conceal yourself from the public and respond to the text/cellphone call,” he said.

He also detests the practice of some employees who could be heard shouting while they are in public areas.

“I do not want to hear people saying that the people from the judiciary are uneducated and ill-mannered.”

During yesterday’s Christmas party at the SC, he addressed the employees once again and reminded them that everything they do, whether big or small, has an effect on the quality of service they give to the public.

He cited the use of the social media site Facebook as an example.

“For every minute that you spend on Facebook or use your cellphone during your official working hours, these are minutes we lose in performing our duties, and this could be misconstrued by some that the employees of the judiciary are shortchanging the Filipino people who are paying their salaries.”

He admitted that some court employees might have difficulty following these regulations, but he reminded them to be like Jesus Christ who humbled Himself and made sacrifices for the world’s salvation.

Bersamin also encouraged SC employees to strive to improve the high court and make changes in their regulations and rules of court to speed up the decision of cases.

In return, he promised to provide more benefits to court employees. “So work with me.