Law creating more Shari’a Judicial Districts, circuit courts signed

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law creating three additional Shari’a Judicial Districts and 12 Shari’a circuit courts nationwide.

Marcos signed on August 12 Republic Act (RA) No. 12018, which amends Articles 138, 147, and 150 of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1083.

Before its signing, the country only had five Shari’a judicial districts created under PD No. 1083. The first district covers Sulu; the second is Tawi-Tawi; the third is Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur, as well as Dipolog, Pagadian, and Zamboanga cities; the fourth – Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, as well as Iligan and Marawi cities; and the fifth – Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City.

READ: High court affirms powers, autonomy of Shariah courts

The recently signed RA No. 12018 establishes three more Shari’a Judicial Districts that would cover Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro City, and the provinces in Davao Region and Caraga (sixth); provinces within Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Central Visayas (seventh); and Metro Manila, provinces within the Cordillera Administrative Region, and Regions I to Mimaropa (eighth).

RA No. 12018 likewise increases Shari’a circuit courts from 51 to 63 as it establishes 12 more. The 12 additional Shari’a circuit courts will service the three additional Shari’a Judicial Districts: five for the sixth district, three for the seventh district, and four for the eighth district.

RA No. 12018 will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.