Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act 12304, a landmark measure designed to modernize the country’s Shari’ah court system and expand legal support services for Filipino Muslims.
The law, enacted on Sept. 18, amends provisions of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Act of 2009 and introduces digital reforms aimed at improving access to justice.
Under the measure, the NCMF and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in coordination with the Supreme Court, are mandated to develop a secure platform for paperless filing of legal documents.
The system is expected to streamline court processes while protecting the privacy of all parties.
Beyond digitalization, RA 12304 expands the NCMF’s role in serving Muslim communities nationwide. The commission is directed to assist the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in conducting a comprehensive census of Filipino Muslims, with emphasis on vital statistics such as births, marriages, and deaths.
The law also strengthens the NCMF’s Legal Affairs Bureau, tasking it to provide legal education and assistance to Muslims engaged in litigation.
In areas without Shari’ah courts, the bureau will help facilitate the filing of pleadings and other documents to ensure that geography does not become a barrier to justice.
“This landmark legislation represents a significant stride toward ensuring that our Muslim brothers and sisters have equal and efficient access to justice within our legal system,” Marcos Jr. said in a statement.
“By embracing technology and strengthening legal support, we are making our institutions more inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of all Filipinos.”
The NCMF is required to submit an annual report on the law’s implementation to the Senate President, the House Speaker, and the chairpersons of key legislative committees.
