Manila: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law expanding Shariah jurisdiction and creating new Islamic courts in the Catholic-majority country.
Shariah, or Islamic law, is partially implemented in the Philippines, applicable only to the Muslim community — about 10 percent of the 120 million of the country’s predominantly Catholic population.
Established under the 1977 Code of Muslim Personal Laws, the Islamic law courts are under the administrative supervision of the Supreme Court and until now had jurisdiction over the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region as well as other parts of the southern Mindanao island, which have significant Muslim populations.
The new law creates three additional Shariah judicial districts — beyond the country’s south — and an additional 12 courts.
“The new law also increases the number of (Shariah) circuit courts from 51 to 63. The 12 new (Shariah) circuit courts will serve the newly created (Shariah) Judicial Districts,” the Office of the President said in a statement on Thursday.
The Shariah judicial system used to have five districts, all in Mindanao. The new ones expand the reach of Islamic law to the most populous Luzon island — including Metro Manila — and the islands of Mindoro, Marinduque, Rombolon and Palawan island, where Muslims are in the minority.
The president’s decision was welcomed in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“The addition of new Shariah District Courts and Circuit Courts will enhance the access to justice of Muslims in the Philippines,” Mohd. Asnin Pendatun, BARMM cabinet secretary and the Bangsamoro government’s spokesperson, told Arab News, adding that the decision adds to the ongoing efforts for Filipino Muslims to have a “genuine place in the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) vision of the national government.”
Lawmakers in the Bangsomoro region said in a statement it was a “victory for efforts on inclusivity and a powerful acknowledgment of the unique needs” of the Muslim community.
“This is a victory for efforts on inclusivity and a powerful acknowledgment of the unique needs of the Muslim community,” MPs Amir Mawallil, Rasol Mitmug Jr. and Laisa Alamia said in a statement.
“This represents a significant advancement in the administration of justice for our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Philippines. It acknowledges the importance of the (Shariah) judicial system and brings it closer to the communities it serves, ensuring that justice according to Islamic law is more accessible to all,” Amir Mawallil, member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, said in a joint statement with lawmakers Rasol Mitmug Jr. and Laisa Alamia.
“We thank President Marcos Jr. for deeply understanding the situation of our Muslim brothers and sisters and signing into law this significant measure.”
Shariah courts in the Philippines have application over personal status law, including marriage, as well as financial laws and halal certification.
The expansion of their reach aligns with the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, which includes a goal to “strengthen the Shariah justice system.”
