Robin seeks additional Shariah courts nationwide
IN order to ensure Muslim Filipinos can avail of accessible, equitable and speedy justice, Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla has filed Senate Bill 2215 seeking to establish additional Shariah Judicial Districts, stations for the district courts, and circuit courts in the country.
Padilla’s bill proposed amendments to Presidential Decree 1083, citing the 1987 Constitution’s provision that the State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions.
“This is to ensure that our Muslim brothers and sisters across the archipelago will have better access to the specialized knowledge and expertise of Shari’a judges, promoting fair and equal treatment of Muslims under the law, regardless of their geographic location,” he said.
Padilla’s bill adds three Shari’a districts – the sixth district for Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro City and provinces in Regions XI and XIII; the seventh for provinces within Regions VI, VII, VIII and Mimaropa; and the eighth for provinces within Metro Manila, Cordillera, and Regions I, II, III, IV-A, and V – to the existing five in Sulu; Tawi-Tawi; Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur and Dipolog, Pagadian and Zamboanga Cities; Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Iligan and Marawi Cities; and Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City.
Also, the bill provides that 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 in Jolo, Sulu; Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; Zamboanga City; Marawi City; and Cotabato City.
Meanwhile, additional Shari’a Circuit Courts shall be established in the following areas:
* Five in and for Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro City and provinces in Regions XI and XIII;
* Two in and for provinces within Regions VI, VII, VIII and Mimaropa;
* Four in and for provinces within Metro Manila, Cordillera, and Regions I, II, III, IV-A, and V.
