The plenary hall of the House of Representatives. (INQUIRER.net file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved a bill that would amend Republic Act No. 9997 — the law that created the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) — to ensure that more Muslim Filipinos get access to Shari’a courts.
House Bill (HB) No. 9045, or the proposed Act Providing the Muslim Filipinos Better Access to Shari’a Courts, was approved during Monday’s session as 251 lawmakers voted in the affirmative, zero in the negative, and zero abstentions.
Under the proposed measure, Section 11(g) of R.A. No. 9997 which talks about the NCMF’s Bureau of Legal Affairs will be amended to include new provisions about the said office ensuring equal access to Shari’a Courts.
“The Bureau of Legal Affairs shall also ensure that Muslim Filipinos have equitable access to Shari’a Courts. Thus, it may facilitate the filing or submission of appropriate documents with the proper Shari’a Court for Muslim Filipino Litigants who are in a Region where there is no Existing Shari’a Court,” the bill stated.
According to the bill, the NCMF, if the bill is enacted, will be tasked to coordinate with the Supreme Court (SC) in establishing a “mechanism for the filing or submission of legal documents within the Jurisdiction of The Shari’a Circuit and District Courts”.
Similarly, the NCMF and the Department of Information and Communications Technology are asked to coordinate with the Supreme Court in creating a digital platform to facilitate the paperless filing of Marriage Certificates, Birth Certificates, Death Certificates.
“The Commission is authorized to enter into Public-Private Partnerships to facilitate the filing of documents as provided in this Act […] Any information or data obtained by the Commission and DICT through a Digital Platform allowing paperless filing for the above documents shall be treated with confidentiality and the right to privacy of the parties shall be observed,” the bill read.
The justice system of Shari’a Courts was established by Presidential Decree No. 1083 or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws (CPML), to ensure that laws and the delivery of justice is in accordance with the Islamic faith.