Senator Robin Padilla sought support from his Senate colleagues for a bill ensuring the proper and timely burial of deceased Muslims in accordance with Islam teachings.
Padilla made the appeal in a sponsorship speech for House Bill No. 8925 (An Act Requiring the Proper and Immediate Burial of Muslim Cadavers in Accordance with the Islamic Rites).
“Sa puntong ito, ako po ay humihiling sa kagalang-galang na bulwagang ito na nawa ay mabigyan ng pansin at suporta upang maging ganap na batas ang simple ngunit makabuluhang panukalang ito para sa inyong mga kapatid na Muslim,” the legislator said.
Under the bill, there will be clear guidelines on registering the death of a Muslim within 30 days. It also has provisions for the proper transport of a deceased Muslim’s remains.
“Sumasagisag rin po ito sa ating pagtataguyod ng isang lipunang gumagalang at nagbibigay ng halaga sa mga yumao.”
“Sumasagisag rin po ito sa ating pagtataguyod ng isang lipunang gumagalang at nagbibigay ng halaga sa mga yumao,” the lawmaker added.
The senator also noted the bill can be considered a “sister” measure of his Senate bill 1273, which provides equal access to Filipino Muslims and indigenous peoples (IPs) in public cemeteries.
“Muslim traditions decree that a deceased’s remains be buried within 24 hours after death.”
He noted Muslim traditions decree that a deceased’s remains be buried within 24 hours after death.
Presently, he said there are challenges to this “dahil iba naman po ang paniniwala ng mayorya sa ating pamayanan.”
Among the challenges he cited are the requirement to secure a death certificate before remains can be brought out of a hospital, funeral parlor, morgue or other facility.
“Napakabigat po ng kalagayang ito para sa mga tulad naming sumusunod sa sunnah o Katuruan ng Islam,” he said.
