NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
S. B. No.
SENATE
2813
24 SEP 11 P1 :5
Kid, _ ;E •
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE I SECTION 5 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM 
FILIPINOS ACT OF 2009"
Explanatory Note
Republic Act 9997, the law that created the National Commission on Muslim 
Filipinos was passed in 2009 in order to ensure that there is a government body that 
preserves and develops the culture, tradition, institutions, and well-being of Muslim 
Filipinos, in conformity with the country's laws and in consonance with national unity 
and development.
Section 5 of said law specifically mentioned that the Commission shall be 
composed of nine (9) full-time members who are Muslim Filipinos, with one 
Commissioner coming from the women, youth, and Ulama sectors.
To strengthen the NCMF's inclusivity and ensure broader representation, this 
bill proposes an amendment to include one Commissioner from the Balik-Islam 
community.
This term, "Balik-Islam", is from a Filipino word "balik," meaning "return". This 
is a collective term used to refer to individuals who have returned to Islam, the one 
they consider as the original religion of mankind.
A comprehensive study conducted by the University of the Philippines Center 
for Integrative and Development Studies in 2023 has highlighted the various 
challenges faced by the Balik-Islam community, which can range from personal, 
familial, and community-related concerns.
To ensure that the voices of the Balik-Islam are represented within the NCMF, 
this measure seeks to amend Section 5 of RA 9997 to include one Commissioner from 
the Balik-Islam community.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
'Senator


teriiiT ■vl :
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
24 SEP 11
P1 :52y
SENATE
S. No. 2819
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE I SECTION 5 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9997 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM 
FILIPINOS ACT OF 2009"
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Article I Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9997 is hereby amended to
2 
read as follows;
3 
"SEC. 5. Composition of the Commission. — The Commission shall be
4 
composed of nine (9) full-time members who are Muslim Filipinos and shall be
5 
headed by a Secretary: Provided, That one (1) of the Commissioners shall come
6 
from the women sector, one (1) from the youth sector, [and] another
7 
Commissioner shall come from the Ulama sector, AND ONE (1) FROM THE
8 
BALIK-ISLAM : Provided, further. That not more than two (2) Commissioners
9 
shall come from the same Muslim Filipino tribe at any given time, to ensure a
10 
more equitable representation in the Commission. The President shall appoint
11 
the regular members of the Commission. The Commissioners shall be academic
12 
degree holders and must speak and write fluently the English and/or Arabic
13 
languages. They shall be individuals who possess the highest, degree of
14 
integrity and have the endorsement of their respective tribes or sectors.
15 
XXX"


16 
Sec. 2. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be held
17 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in
18 
full force and effect.
19 
Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, and rules and
20 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
21 
repealed or modified accordingly.
22 
Sec. 4. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
23 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
24 
circulation.
Approved,