A day of triumph!
This was how Senator Robin Padilla described the signing into law of Republic Act 12018, which created three new Shari’ah Judicial Districts and 12 circuit courts in the country.
“Ito ay araw ng tagumpay para sa ating mga Muslim.”
Padilla, a vocal advocate of Muslims’ rights, said this will go a long way for Muslims, especially Muslim Filipinos, to get justice.
“Ito ay araw ng tagumpay para sa ating mga Muslim. Walang hanggang pasasalamat sa PBBM sa paglagda sa batas upang bumuo ng Shari’a judicial districts at circuit courts,” the legislator said.
“I thank Representative Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo for his support for the measure.”
“Sumasaludo din po tayo sa ating kapatid, Senador Francis Tolentino sa pagtayo kasama ng ka-Musliman upang maipasa ang panukalang ito. Sa wakas po abot kamay na nating mga Muslim ang pagkamit ng hustisya dahil sa mga dagdag na korte ng Shari’ah,” the lawmaker added.
The senator likewise thanked Representative Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo for his support for the measure.
On the other hand, Padilla – chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes – expressed hope that the Supreme Court can resolve soonest the issue involving the qualifications of Shari’ah judges, amid the vacancies in Shari’ah courts nationwide.
“Sa Konstitusyon kasi sinasabi doon na pwede lang na Shari’ah judge e (miyembro ng) Philippine Bar,” he said.
Last Aug. 12, Padilla filed Resolution of Both Houses 10 to address the lack of access of Muslims to Shari’ah judges and courts especially outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Under the Resolution of Both Houses, while no person may be appointed judge thereof unless he is a citizen of the Philippines and a member of the Philippine Bar, “the requisite membership to the Philippine Bar shall not apply to Shari’ah judges”.
