Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
`#ousEBILLNo.9152
Introduced by Rep. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to provide an exemption for the qualifications set under Section 8 of
Article X of Republic Act No.  11054, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law, for
the appointment of Shari'ah High Court Justices.  Bearing in mind the struggles of armed-
conflict in the region, Shari'ah Counselors were not able to secure their admittance as regular
members of the Philippine Bar. For this reason, and to allow the gains of the peace process to
be preserved, competent Shari'ah Counselors shall be allowed to be appointed Justices of the
Shari'ah High Court pending their compliance with the qualification requirements.
In view of the foregoing premises, the prompt approval of this measure js earnestly
sought and recommended.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESHNTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
I±ousEBILLNo.9152
Introdrcedby___R_£p._MohamadKhalidQ.Dimaporo
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 8 ARTICLE X OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.11054, THE
ORGANIC LAW FOR THE BANGSAMOR0 AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM
MINDANAo, FOR THE puRpoSE oF wAlvlNG THH RnQulREMENTS oF THE
SUPREMH  COURT  OF  THE  PHILIPPINES  T0  FACILITATE  THE  HNTRY  0F
COMPETENT SIIARIAII COUNSELORS AS JUSTICHS 0F THE SHARIAH HIGH
COURT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled..
SHCTION 1. Section 8 of Article X of RA 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, is
hereby amended to include the following and read as follows:
"Section 8. Qualifications of Shari'ah Judges. -
(a)  Shari'ah Circuit Court -No person shall be appointed judge of the
Shari'a Circuit Court unless a citizen of the Philippines who is a
Muslim, a regular member of the Philippine Bar, at least thirty (30)
years of age, must have been engaged in the practice of law for five
(5)  years  or  more,  and  has  completed  at  least  two  (2)  years  of
Shari' ah or Islamic Jurispnidence.
(b) Shari'ah District Coiut ~ No person shall be appointedjudge of the
Shari'ah District Court unless a citizen of the Philippines who is a
Muslim, a regular member of the Philippine Bar, at least thirty-five
(35) years of age, must liave been engaged in the practice of law for
ten (10) years or more, and has completed at least two (2) years of
Shari ' ah or Islamic Jurisprudence.
(c)  Shari'ah Hich Court -No person shall be appointed as justice of the
Shari'ah High Court unless a natural-born citizen of the Philippines
who is a Muslim, a regular member of the Philippine Bar, at least
forty (40) years of age, must have been engaged in the practice of
law for fifteen (15) years or more, and has completed at least two
(2) years of Shari'ah or Islamic Jurisprudence.
A Shari'ah Justice or Judge must be a person of competence, integrity,
probity, and independence.
The  Supreme  Court  may  grant  the  incumbent  Shari'ah  District  and
Circuit Court judges who are not regular members of the Philippine Bar


a reasonable period within which to qualify, pending which they shall be
allowed to continue discharging their duties.
THE SUPREME COURT MAY INITIATE A TRANSITION PLAN TO
OPERATIONALIZE   THE   SHARIAH   HIGH   COURT   FOR   THE
BANGSAMORO   AUTONOMOUS   REGION.   THIS   TRANSITION
PLAN SHALL AUTHORIZE THE SUPREME COURT TO PROVIDE
AN EREMPTION ON THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SHARIAH
HIGH  COURT  JUSTICES   UNDER  PARAGRAPH  (C)   OF   THIS
SECTION TO  HOLD  OFFICE  IN AN INTERIM CAPACITY.  THE
TRANSITION PLAN SHALL NOT EXCEED A PERIOD OF TEN ( 10)
YEARS UPON RATIFICATION OF THIS ACT.
SECTION 2.  Separability clause. -If any section or provision ofthjs Act is declared
unconstitutional, the other section or provision not so declared shall continue to be in full force
and effect.
SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and
other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.
SECTION 4. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
complete publication in the Official  Gazette and in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general  circulation,  and  one  (1)  local  newspaper  of general  circulation  in  the  autonomous
region.
Approved,