lic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2285
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo and Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Muslims believe that Islam is a complete way of life, each and every
aspect is designed by Allah to advance happy, healthy communities and ease the
path to eternal bliss in paradise. In today's society, modesty is seen as a sign of
weakness or insecurity. This is not the case in Islam, where modesty is seen as a
sign of respect for oneself and others.

The haya (modesty/shyness) that every human being is born with is seen as
something to be treasured. To this end, Islam has a dress code for both women
and men. Its purpose is to protect the society as a whole and promote modest
dressing and behaviour. It creates a barrier between the sexes and allows them to
conduct their lives with modesty, dignity and respect. Islam holds women in very
high esteem and the Islamic rules of covering are intended to protect and guard
her dignity and honor. The attires used most often for covering are hijab, burqa
and nigab.

Thus, any person who attempts to restrict the use of traditional attires or
veil by Muslim women in public places is considered a personal insult on their
persons and an affront to Islam. Moreover, such removal would undermine the
rights of Muslim women to wear the attire and would violate their rights to
freedom of religion and expression as these rights are protected and provided in
the constitution of the Philippines.

Yet there are instances when Muslim women are subjected whimsically by
male guards to remove their traditional attires despite the presence of metal
detectors, x-ray machines and other security devices in order for the women to
gain entry or access to facilities or services. Muslim Filipinos are sensitive when
it comes to the sanctity of their Islam faith. Sadly, this form of discrimination
against Muslims has persisted because they are hesitant to report the behavior to
authorities for fear of reprisal as there is no law prohibiting and penalizing such
condemnable acts.


The proposed measure, therefore, seeks to promote cultural sensitivity to
Filipino Muslims especially for the treatment of Muslim women by prohibiting
restrictions in the use of traditional attires by Muslim women in public places.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.

WD. DIMAPORO

ABDULLAH D. DIMAPORO
First District, Lanao del Norte Second District, Lanao del Norte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2285

Introduced by Rep. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo and Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo

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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. ‘Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Deference
to Muslim Women Traditional Attire Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to allow the
free exercise of religion and promote equality, regardless of religious affiliation or
belief, to eliminate unnecessary prejudice and discrimination against the believer
and non-believer of any religion. Toward this end, it is necessary to promote cultural

sensitivity to Filipino Muslims especially for the treatment of Muslim women by


prohibiting restriction in the use of traditional form of attire by Muslim women in
public places.

SEC. 3. Discriminatory Practices, — It shall be unlawful for any person,
natural or juridical, to commit the following acts:

a) To deny access or refuse entry to establishments to Muslim women or
prevent their use of facilities, utilities or services because they are wearing religious
symbols or traditional attires like hijab, burqa, nigab and the like; and

b) To require Muslim women to remove their traditional attires which
include hijab, burga, niqab and other religious attires within the building or premises
of government offices, schools, financial institutions, business and commercial
establishments and other public places including airports, seaports, land
transportation terminals, parks, gardens and public transport.

SEC. 4. Exception. — Muslim women may however be requested to
remove the traditional attire if the removal is done by another woman and in private,
if justified by public safety, health, morals or general welfare.

SEC. 5. Penalties. — Any person found guilty of violating Section 3 of
this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but
not more than two (2) years, or a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos
(P20,000.00) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), or both such fine

and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.


If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, agency or other
juridical entity, the penalty shall be imposed on the officers of the corporation,
partnership, association, agency or other juridical entity who caused the violation.

If the offender is an alien or a foreigner, in addition to the penalty herein
prescribed, the offender shall, after service of sentence, be deported without further
proceedings on the part of the Bureau of Immigration.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Commission on
Human Rights, in coordination with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos,
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, letters of instruction,
executive issuances, resolutions, orders or parts thereof which are inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,