Senate Passes Bill to Create Additional Shariah Judicial Districts
On Monday, April 29, the Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 2594 on its third and final reading with 20 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions. The bill aims to create additional Shariah judicial districts and circuit courts by amending Presidential Decree 1083, the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines.
Sen. Robinhood Padilla, the bill’s principal author, expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, particularly Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, whom he referred to as the “godfather” of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Padilla emphasized that the 1987 Constitution recognizes, respects, and protects the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions.
Padilla stated, “This is to ensure that our Muslim brothers and sisters across the archipelago will have better access to the specialized knowledge and expertise of Shariah judges, promoting fair and equal treatment of Muslims under the law, regardless of their geographic location.”
Creation of Additional Shariah Districts
The bill proposes the creation of three new Shariah districts. The sixth district will encompass Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro City, and the provinces in Regions 11 and 13. The seventh district will cover the provinces within Regions 6, 7, and 8. Lastly, the eighth district will include Metro Manila, the provinces within the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5, and MIMAROPA.
Currently, there are five Shariah districts located in various regions, including Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Dipolog, Pagadian, and Zamboanga. Other districts can be found in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Iligan, and Marawi. Additionally, districts exist in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City.
Under SB 2594, the permanent stations for the three new districts will be in Davao City (sixth district), Cebu City (seventh district), and Manila City (eighth district). The existing permanent stations are Jolo, Sulu; Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; Zamboanga City; Marawi City; and Cotabato City.
Establishment of Shariah Circuit Courts
The bill also calls for the establishment of additional Shariah circuit courts in specific areas. Five circuit courts will be stationed in Valencia, Gingoog, Ozamis, Mambajao, and Cagayan de Oro cities to serve the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, and Cagayan de Oro City, as well as provinces in Regions 11 and 13. Three circuit courts will be stationed in Cebu, Tacloban, and Iloilo cities to cater to the provinces within Regions 6, 7, and 8. Lastly, four circuit courts will be stationed in Manila, Taguig, Dagupan, and Puerto Princesa cities to cover Metro Manila, the provinces within the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5, and MIMAROPA.
The Significance of Shariah Law
Shariah, or Islamic law, is derived from religious precepts of Islam, specifically the Quran and the Hadith. It is the law that forms part of the Islamic tradition.
Sen. Zubiri commended the passage of SB 2594, highlighting that it resulted from a dialogue with Chief Justice Alexander Guesmundo and BARMM. He stated, “Since we have a significant Muslim population throughout the Philippines, this bill will allow them to have their cases heard and resolved in the areas where they reside, whether in Northern Luzon, Central Visayas, or other parts of Mindanao.”
Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa were made co-authors of the bill, further demonstrating the broad support it received.
Source: The Manila Times
