Republic of the Philippines 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
  Quezon City 
 NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
  First Regular Session 
  HOUSE BILL NO._____ 
  Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SHERNEE A. TAN-TAMBUT 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to require the allotment of at least two (2) places of worship or prayer rooms in every 
government building, military camp, hospital, and privately-owned mall, factory, hospital, and other 
big business establishment, where employees, visitors and customers can freely practice their 
religious belief. 
Although our Constitution explicitly mandates the inviolability of the separation of Church and State, 
the same fundamental law of the land clearly guarantees the free exercise and enjoyment of religious 
profession, without discrimination or preference. 
It may be observed in our country that in practically all government buildings, military camps, 
hospitals, and even in privately-owned malls, large factories, hospitals and other big business 
establishments, there is a Roman Catholic Chapel. If this is a way of respecting the free exercise of 
one’s religious belief then it is also fair to provide another prayer room where the Muslims or other 
non-Catholic religious sectors may freely exercise their faith. 
In the United States , the 1964 Civil Rights Act provides that an employer may not may not 
discriminate against a person because one adheres to a particular faith, and that employers must 
accommodate on employee’s religious practices unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the 
employer. On the basis of this law, there have been growing number of corporations, which are 
modifying their rules and procedure to show sensitivity to the increasing number of Muslim 
employees and customers. For instance, Watermark Donut Co., a franchisee for Dunkin’ Donuts, has 
provided religious accommodation for its Muslim employees the opportunity to perform the five (5) 
daily prayers. 
  SHERNEE A. TAN-TAMBUT
SAMIER A. TAN 
 Representative        
        Representative 
  Kusug Tausug Partylist 
         First District, Sulu 
March 28, 2023
3:12 pm
7797


Republic of the Philippines 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
  Quezon City 
  NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
  First Regular Session 
  HOUSE BILL NO._____ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SHERNEE A. TAN-TAMBUT 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE ALLOTMENT OF AT LEAST TWO (2) PLACES OF WORSHIP OR 
PRAYER ROOMS IN EVERY GOVERNMENT BUILDING, MILITARY CAMP, 
HOSPITAL, AND PRIVATELY-OWNED MALL, FACTORY, HOSPITAL, AND OTHER 
BIG BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. There shall be allotted at least two (2) places of worship or prayer rooms, where 
employees, visitors and customers can freely practice their religious belief in every government 
building, military camp, hospital, and privately-owned mall, factory, and other big business 
establishment. 
SEC. 2. Within sixty (60) days from its approval, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos 
(NCMF), in consultation with the Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor and Employment 
(DOLE), Department of National Defense (DND), and a representative from the business sector, shall 
formulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
SEC. 3. Any person found guilty of violating this Act shall suffer the penalty of one (1) year 
imprisonment or a fine equivalent to six (6) months salary or both at the discretion of the court. 
The penalty herein provided shall be imposed upon the highest official of the Department or office 
concerned or, if a juridical person, the Chairman or President of the corporation 
SEC. 4. All laws, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a 
newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
7797


Unlike other religions, Muslim religion practices regard them as compulsory religious duties, Islam 
mandates that believers perform prayer five times each day. During act of worship, Muslim stand, 
bow and touch the forehead to the ground. Since worship is to be performed in any quiet, dry and 
clean place, a prayer room is necessary for some measure of privacy. 
 
The foregoing reasons warrant the approval of this important piece of legislation is earnestly sought.