EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
697
of tlic i& rtm a rp
*19 JIIL 22 P5 SI
RECcl V^D b t __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Introduced by Senator Aqiiilino “Koko” Pimentel HI
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE WITHHOLDING OF MUSLIM CADAVERS 
IN THE CUSTODY OF ANY HOSPITAL, MEDICAL CLINIC, 
FUNERAL PARLOR, MORGUE, OR OTHER SIMILAR 
FACILITIES ON GROUNDS OF NON-PAYMENT OF 
HOSPITAL BILLS, MEDICAL EXPENSES, OR OTHER FEES, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill: (1) seeks to prohibit the withholding of Muslim cadavers 
in the custody of any hospital, medical clinic, funeral parlor, morgue, or 
other similar facilities on grounds of nonpayment of hospital bills, 
medical expenses, or other fees, and (2) mandates their release within 24 
hours from death.
In accordance with the dictates of Islam, Muslim burial rites are 
done as soon as possible after death and within a twenty-four hour 
period. This practice is rooted in the Muslim belief that the soul of the 
deceased is disturbed if its previous body is not laid to rest in the ground 
before the next call to prayer.
This bill, therefore, recognizes the right of our Muslim brothers 
and sisters to bury their dead in accordance with their religious customs 
and beliefs.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly requested.
V X 
^
•UILIIVO “KOKO” PIMENTEL HI


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
S E N A T E  
S. No. 697
of the Ssi'crrtnrp
*19 JUL 22 P5 51
REC£iwcD-Y.
Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel HI
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE WITHHOLDING OF MUSLIM CADAVERS 
IN THE CUSTODY OF ANY HOSPITAL, MEDICAL CLINIC, 
FUNERAL PARLOR, MORGUE, OR OTHER SIMILAR 
FACILITIES ON GROUNDS OF NON-PAYMENT OF 
HOSPITAL BILLS, MEDICAL EXPENSES, OR OTHER FEES, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the
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policy of the State to recognize and respect the right of our Muslim
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brothers and sisters to bury their dead in accordance with their religious
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customs and beliefs, particularly, their practice of burying their dead
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before the next call to prayer.
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SEC. 2. Prohibited Withholding; Immediate Release. — It shall be
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unlawful for any hospital, medical clinic, funeral parlor, morgue, or
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other similar facilities to withhold or to otherwise cause, directly or
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indirectly, the withholding of a Muslim cadaver for reasons of non-
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payment of hospital bills, medical expenses, or other fees.
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Within twenty-four (24) hours from death, the Muslim cadaver
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shall be released by the hospital, medical clinic, funeral parlor, morgue,
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or other similar facilities to the relatives for burial purposes upon
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execution of a promissory note. The promissory note may be secured by
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either a mortgage or a guarantee of a co- maker, to cover the unpaid


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obligation. A guarantee letter from the Social Security System (SSS), 
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), or Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), if the deceased was a member 
thereof, or from the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD), if the deceased was an indigent, may take the place of the 
promissory note. The corresponding certificate of death and other 
documents required for claiming social security benefits or instituting 
criminal proceedings shall be promptly issued thereafter.
SEC. 3. Penal Provision. — Any officer or employee of the 
hospital, medical clinic, funeral parlor, morgue, or other similar facilities 
who violates the provisions of this Act shall be punished with a fine of 
not less than Twenty thousand pesos (Php20,000.00) but not more than 
Fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than 
one (1) month but not more than six (6) months, or both, at the 
discretion of the proper court.
SEC. 4. Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Health 
(DOH) shall promulgate the rules and regulations as may be necessary to 
carry out the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from the 
approval thereof
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by 
such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive and 
administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation.
Approved,