MANILA - The Supreme Court (SC) has reminded judges to prioritize certain cases particularly involving women and children as well as major government projects. In an Oct. 13 circular released on Thursday, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez directed judges of the first and second level courts to comply with instructions of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo to prioritize important cases and encouraged the use of alternative dispute resolution. Gesmundo, Marquez said, has enjoined judges "to give primacy" to cases involving women and children and government expropriation and infrastructure projects. He said the lower courts are also asked to give priority to cases with urgent reliefs sought such as restraining orders, protection orders, and writs of habeas corpus. The high court also identified commercial and economic impact cases and those that affect the liberty of an accused as among those to be considered priorities. Marquez said judges were also urged to "strongly e