PBBM signs law to establish additional Shari’a judicial districts and 12 additional circuit courts

August 15, 2024 , 03:48 PM

(August 15, 2024) – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on August 12 signed the Republic Act No. 120181, establishing three new Shari’a Judicial Districts and 12 additional circuit courts across the Philippines.

Previously, only five Shari’a judicial districts were established under PD No. 1083. The first district includes the province of Sulu, the second covered Tawi-Tawi, and the third is composed of Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, as well as cities of Dipolog, Pagadian, and Zamboanga.

The fourth district served Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and the cities of Iligan and Marawi, while the fifth district covered Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City.

The RA No. 120181 establishes three new Shari’a districts: the sixth district will include 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 in Regions 6, 7, and 8, and the eighth district will serve Metro Manila, the provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5, and the Mimaropa region (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan).

The new law increases the number of Shari’a circuit courts from 51 to 63. The 12 additional circuit courts will service the newly established Shari’a Judicial Districts. Of these, five circuit courts will serve the sixth district, three will be allocated to the seventh district, and four will be assigned to the eighth district.

Meanwhile, Sen. Robin Padilla emphasized in his speech at the dinner for the 2024 Special Shari’ah Bar Examinations the importance of addressing the constitutional requirements for Shari’ah judges, particularly given the numerous vacant positions in Shari’ah courts across the country.

On August 12, Sen. Padilla filed a resolution to address the limited access of Muslims to Shari’ah judges and courts outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Under the resolution, while judges must be Filipino citizens and members of the Philippine Bar, the requirement to be a member of the Philippine Bar shall not apply to Shari’ah judges.

Padilla said that filling the vacant positions in Shari’a courts is also a persistent problem for the Muslims due to the restrictions set forth by the Constitution, stating, “Sa Constitution kasi sinasabi doon na pwede lang na Shari’ah judge eh [miyembro ng] Philippine Bar.”

(PB)

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