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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed measure seeks to promote cultural sensitivity to Filipino Muslims, 
particularly Muslim women, by prohibiting restrictions on the use of traditional 
forms of Muslim women's attire in public places. The salient features of this bill 
are: 
•
Specific discriminatory acts, so that it shall be unlawful for any person to:
a. Refuse to allow Muslim women into establishments; prevent them
from using facilities, utilities, or services because they are donning
religious symbols or traditional clothing, such as the hijab, burqa,
niqab, and the like; and
b. Demand that Muslim women take off their traditional clothing, such
as the hijab, burqa, niqab, and other religious attire.
•
An exception, where a Muslim woman may be requested to remove the
traditional attire if the removal is done by another woman and in private
if it is necessary for public safety, health, morals, or general welfare.
•
Penalties, which shall be imprisonment or a fine, and deportation if the
offender is an alien or a foreigner.
Hence, the passage of this measure is sought.   
RUDYS CAESAR G. FARIÑAS I 
March 14, 2023
4:40 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING CULTURAL SENSITIVITY TO FILIPINO MUSLIMS ESPECIALLY 
FOR 
THE 
TREATMENT 
OF 
MUSLIM 
WOMEN 
BY 
PROHIBITING 
RESTRICTIONS IN THE USE OF TRADITIONAL FORMS OF ATTIRE BY 
MUSLIM WOMEN IN PUBLIC PLACES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR 
VIOLATION THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Deference to Muslim
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Women Traditional Attire Act.” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to allow the free 
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exercise of religion and promote equality, regardless of religious affiliation or 
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belief, to eliminate unnecessary prejudice and discrimination against the believer 
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and non-believer of any religion. Toward this end, it is necessary to promote 
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cultural sensitivity to Filipino Muslims especially for the treatment of Muslim 
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women by prohibiting restriction in the use of traditional form of attire by Muslim 
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women in public places.  
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SEC. 3. Discriminatory Practices. – It shall be unlawful for any person, natural 
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or juridical, to commit the following acts: 
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a. To deny access or refuse entry to establishments to Muslim women or
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prevent their use of facilities, utilities or services because they are wearing
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religious symbols or traditional attires like hijab, burqa, niqab and the
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like; and
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b. To require Muslim women to remove their traditional attires which include
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hijab, burqa, niqab and other religious attires within the building or
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premises of government offices, schools, financial institutions, business
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and commercial establishments and other public places including
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airports, seaports, land transportation terminals, parks, gardens and 
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public transport. 
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SEC. 4. Exception. – Muslim women may however be requested to remove the 
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traditional attire if the removal is done by another woman and in private, if 
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justified by public safety, health, morals or general welfare. 
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SEC. 5. Penalties. – Any person found guilty of violating Section 3 of this Act 
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shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not 
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more than two (2) years, or a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos 
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(P20,000.00) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), or both such 
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fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court. 
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If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, agency or other 
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juridical entity, the penalty shall be imposed on the officers of the corporation, 
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partnership, association, agency or other juridical entity who caused the 
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violation. 
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If the offender is an alien or a foreigner, in addition to the penalty herein 
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prescribed, the offender shall, after service of sentence, be deported without 
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further proceedings on the part of the Bureau of Immigration. 
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SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Commission on Human 
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Rights, in coordination with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, shall 
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation 
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of this Act. 
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SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, executive 
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issuances, resolutions, orders or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
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Approved, 
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