NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 1272
of tljc ^rct c!>r.7>
*22 SEP -5 All :05
Rl;C£iVi-DB’..
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
DECLARING THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL 
HIJAB DAY AND PROMOTING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MUSLIM 
TRADITION OF WEARING A HIJAB
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 5, Article III of the 1987 Constitution declares that "No law shall be 
made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof 
The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without 
discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be 
required for the exercise of civil or political rights."
Islam is practiced by approximately 1.75 billion people In the world and is 
estimated to grow to 3 billion in 2060.1 The wearing of the hijab—a visible and 
distinguishable expression of the Islamic faith—has been unjustifiably used as a source 
of discrimination and prejudice against Muslim women. This unfortunate reality 
motivated the yearly commemoration of World Hijab Day every first day of February 
since 2013 as a global movement that introduces activities aiming to dismantle 
discrimination against Muslim women through awareness, education, and 
empowerment. To date, it is estimated that volunteers and ambassadors from 190 
countries worldwide take part In the commemoration of World Hijab Day every year.
1 Pew Research Center (2019). Accessed at https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/01/the-countries 
-with-the-10-largest-christian-populations-and-the-10-largest-muslim-populations/


This annual observance serves as a pathway to deeper understanding and an 
avenue to counteract the colonial mentality of the hijab being a symbol of oppression 
against women. However, despite the fact that this movement was initiated almost a 
decade ago, the awareness regarding the hijab is relevant now more than ever. Across 
the globe, Muslim women are facing serious challenges regarding the display of their 
faith through the hijab.
Stereotypical representations lead to misconceptions and one-dimensional view 
that Muslim women are powerless and oppressed.2 Recent controversies in different 
parts of the world—from hijabis being denied entry on school grounds3 to Muslim 
women getting assaulted for wearing hijab4—have been polarizing and detrimental to 
Muslim women. Domestically, Filipino Muslim women are no strangers to these 
challenges.
It is our aim to declare the first day of February of every year as National Hijab 
Day to recognize the millions of Muslim women around the world, and in the 
Philippines especially, who choose to wear the hijab and embody a life of modesty. It 
likewise aims to foster cultural understanding and inclusivity in our country.
A similar measure in the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 8249, was 
already approved in third and final reading in the 18th Congress. A counterpart bill in 
the Senate, Senate Bill No. 2081, was also filed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri in 2021. 
Both bills were already consolidated under Committee Report No. 370, sponsored by 
Senator Imee Marcos.
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
HOOD PADILLA
Senator
2 Alexander, C. (2016) “The Motivations Behind Westerners’ Obsession with the Islamic Veil’’. https://cupola. 
gettysburg.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=islamandwomen
3 Karnataka's hijab controversy expiained. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/watch-karnata 
kas-hijab-controversy-explained/articIe38397744.ece
4 Muslim woman attacked in Austria for wearing hijab. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/muslim-woman-attacked 
-in-austria-for-wearing-hijab/2375507


'-N
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No.
Sfficp a: 
£)rr...,t;i
22 SEP -5 All .*05
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
DECLARING THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL 
HIJAB DAY AND PROMOTING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MUSLIM 
TRADITION OF WEARING A HIJAB
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as "National Hijab Day".
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the role of women in
3 
nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality of women and men before
4 
the law. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without
5 
discrimination and or preference, shall forever be allowed.
6 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:
7 
a) Hijab refers to a modest garment worn by Muslim women to cover the
8 
hair and neck; and
9 
b) Hijabi refers to a Muslim woman wearing a hijab.
10 
Sec. 4. Objectives. —The objectives of this Act are as follows:
11 
a) To promote tolerance and inclusivity in order to ensure the free exercise
12 
of hijabis 'in practicing their religion;
13 
b) To prevent discrimination against hijabis:,
14 
c) To encourage women to show their solidarity by wearing hijab 6ur\nq
15 
the National Hijab Day; and


1 
d) To remove the misconception in the wearing of hijab and deepen the
2 
understanding of the value of wearing hijab as an act of modesty and
3 
dignity for hijabis.
4 
Sec. 5. National Hijab Day, — The first day of February of each year is hereby
5 
declared as the observance of National Hijab Day to foster solidarity with hijabis by
6 
encouraging the wearing of hijab by women in public.
7 
Sec. 6. Public Awareness. — Government agencies, schools, and the private
8 
sector are encouraged to observe National Hijab Day in an appropriate manner that
9 
promotes the objectives of this Act through awareness activities.
10 
Sec. 7. Implementing Agency. —The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos
11 
(NCMF) is hereby mandated as the lead agency in observance of National Hijab Day
12 
in consultation with the Bangsamoro Women Commission. It shall actively coordinate
13 
with government agencies, schools, and the private sector to encourage them to
14 
observe National Hijab Day. The NCMF shall conduct nationwide activities that shall
15 
aim to deepen understanding of the hijab as a lifestyle choice through fora,
16 
information dissemination campaigns, and other educational drives to effectively
17 
attain the objectives of this Act.
18 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
19 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
20 
remain In force and effect.
21 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or Issuance, executive
22 
order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this
23 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
24 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
25 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,